Head of Procurement at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

About the Job

Job Summary

• To develop a functional procurement operating model and framework in a broadly defined group functional strategy in the Short Term Insurance industry. The role includes sourcing, contracting, cost containment, category management, BBB-EE scorecard management, supplier development, stakeholder management, and catastrophe planning for both motor, buildings, contents, wearables for personal lines and commercial lines.
• 5 years senior management experience.
• 5 years+ procurement experience in insurance, banking or construction.
• Relevant degree or qualifications essential.

Job Description

• To develop a functional procurement operating model and framework in a broadly defined group functional strategy in the Short Term Insurance industry. The role includes sourcing, contracting, cost containment, category management, BBB-EE scorecard management, supplier development, stakeholder management, and catastrophe planning for both motor, buildings, contents, wearables for personal lines and commercial lines.
• 5 years senior management experience.
• 5 years+ procurement experience in insurance, banking or construction.

Relevant degree or qualifications essential.

• Stakeholder management: Work collaboratively with SRM Manager and Sourcing consultants in the development and implementation of sourcing Technology solutions within the Hardware category e.g. PC's Laptops, Mainframe etc. Lead development and execution of Sourcing Strategies (agreed category plans)for all assigned initiatives.
  • This would include reviewing of different commercial models/options, ensuring fit with service, relevant supplier strategies. Lead specific major sourcing initiatives or elements, which invoke a high degree of strategic and/or business risk and value by aligning to the Group Technology Strategy and Architectural roadmap. Support scope decisioning through ‘make versus buy’ assessment targeted at realising greater value for the Group.
  • Work with other Group functions and/or Business Absa Financial Services, Allpay, Absa Capital to evaluate and define appropriate commercial model (e.g. alliance, Joint Venture or outsourcing) in support of appropriate business objectives by taking accountability for overall outcomes.
  • Lead the development of Sourcing Strategy and category approach and its subsequent effective execution ensuring leading edge practice and that maximum value is derived by using market analysis and benchmarking scenarios
  • Effective management / exploitation of commercial synergies and interdependencies across sourcing initiatives by way of commercial strategy, consistency of process and execution. 
• Category Management: Work collaboratively with SRM Manager and Sourcing consultants in the development and implementation of sourcing Technology solutions within the Hardware category e.g. PC's Laptops, Mainframe etc.
  • Lead development and execution of Sourcing Strategies (agreed category plans)for all assigned initiatives. This would include reviewing of different commercial models/options, ensuring fit with service, relevant supplier strategies.
  • Lead specific major sourcing initiatives or elements, which invoke a high degree of strategic and/or business risk and value by aligning to the Group Technology Strategy and Architectural roadmap.
  • Support scope decisioning through ‘make versus buy’ assessment targeted at realising greater value for the Group. Work with other Group functions and/or Business Absa Financial Services, Allpay, Absa Capital to evaluate and define appropriate commercial model (e.g. alliance, Joint Venture or outsourcing) in support of appropriate business objectives by taking accountability for overall outcomes.
  • Lead the development of Sourcing Strategy and category approach and its subsequent effective execution ensuring leading edge practice and that maximum value is derived by using market analysis and benchmarking scenarios
  • Effective management / exploitation of commercial synergies and interdependencies across sourcing initiatives by way of commercial strategy, consistency of process and execution. 
• People Management: Ensure the development of a high-performing team through embedding formal Performance Development and informal coaching.
  • Determine and analyse development needs for the team and ensure that identified training requirements are budgeted for and executed.
  • Champion knowledge sharing across team and Group Sourcing and ensuring Sourcing team continues to develop and consistently implement best in class tools and techniques Lead, manage and develop direct reports to achieve high performance by providing focus, clarity on assignments, motivation, support and coaching .
  • Practise appropriate leadership and management disciplines with direct reports to achieve Business goals e.g. Group Technology Strategy.
  • Manage team performance by undertaking personal reviews to reflect achievements against targets by ensuring weekly/monthly one-on-one meetings and agree on continuous improvement.
  • Analyse performance and skill gaps through continuous 360 feedback and evaluation of the agreed performance development objectives and targets Ensure Personal Development Plans are complete, training plans executed, and that training effectiveness is monitored.
  • Provide input to Human Resources(HR) Account Executive on direct reports’ development and career aspirations and manage assignment allocation in conjunction with HR .Provide active leadership and support across wider commercial community within the Bank to enable effective team performance Support and contribute to team building events and team dynamics through personally displaying leadership and team attributes.
  • Champion new ways of working with own team and wider community, ensuring new ways of working and cultural changes are embedded by attending appropriate forums and team meetings 
• Risk Management: Delivery of all commercial and contractual elements of major sourcing initiatives up to contract award by using the standard sourcing methodology Sourcing and Supply Management Policy (SSMP) ensuring all financial, risk, strategic and commercial considerations are optimised.
  • Ensure sourcing is in line with organisational and external governance by using and implementing the current ERMF standards Ensure appropriate engagement of the Legal manager, i.e. manage legal input to meet business and sourcing needs by engaging with the sourcing legal team on all contracts.
  • Coach team members on all the processes and controls that they have to execute in their daily work and ensure that they understand the reasons for the controls and the consequences for failing to adhere to prescribed processes.
  • On a weekly basis, remind the team of their compliance requirements. If any team member does not understand their obligations, highlight to the manager to arrange briefings by the Compliance Officer.
  • Make team members aware of all changes to policies, processes and procedures that are being planned for the area and ensure that they are able to incorporate the changes on the effective date.
  • Ensure that team members read circulars that are relevant to the area and answer questions they may have 
• Supplier Management : Effective management of supply side dependencies and interactions up to executive level throughout the sourcing life cycle internally with clients and colleagues and externally with suppliers by ensuring monthly meeting with suppliers are arranged.
  • Ensure that monthly meetings are held with High risk suppliers to ensure benchmarking, contract, market analysis are understood and communicated to Group Technology on a monthly basis. 
• Business Management : Coordinate the efforts of the different operational areas under management to ensure minimal duplication of efforts, maximum efficiency and to maximise value for money.
  • Rebalance resources between different areas e.g. reallocating headcount or budgets, but within overall approved resources for the year.
  • Rebalance resources between different areas e.g. reallocating headcount or budgets, but within overall approved resources for the year.
  • Agree targets and take accountability for the overall achievement of performance objectives in the business area.

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)