Head of Purchasing - Johannesburg at Volvo Group

Mission

• As Head of Group Trucks Purchasing South Africa, you will be responsible to manage and drive purchasing related activities on both Automotive and Indirect Products and Services purchasing. You will also lead the operational activities connected to deliveries to local truck plants from QDCF-TSR Standpoint. You will represent GTP in all Country Management forums.

Reporting: This position reports to Head of GTP APAC.
Location:  South Africa – Johannesburg. Expatriation can be considered.
Job Objectives:

• Be a member of the GTP APAC Management Team and actively contribute to the development of the department.
• Develop a strategy and wanted position for GTP South Africa.
• Drive and manage the overall suppliers’ relationship in the Country (including negotiations, Business Review meetings, supplier selections).
• Foster new business models and partnership with suppliers.
• Foster Minority business and secure the target achievements (according to BBBEE initiative).
• Secure cost targets and other Financial KPIs fulfillment.
• Strongly drive Sustainability mindset and initiatives: People, Resources and Climate, with specific focus on accelerating implementation of renewable energy at our sites and on ensuring respect of human rights and right behaviours across the supply chain.
• Foster x-functional collaboration at all organizational levels with stakeholders (Group IT, VGRE, GTO, VTC, GTT, Finance, etc.) and secure needed communication with cross-functional teams.
• Increase local content by developing the supplier base in South Africa.
• Secure suppliers and buyers’ early involvement in project activities.
• Give input to the department yearly business plan.
• Manage purchasing QDCF- TSR deliverables.
• Relentlessly develop the team and foster the “Sharing is Caring” mindset.
• Secure and Manage resources within your area.
• Responsible for the budget & operating expenses.
• Ensure collaboration with the other managers and colleagues in the Strategic Line globally and across APAC.
• Work in accordance with the Volvo processes, the Code of Conduct, and the Volvo Values.
• Sign off Purchasing Agreements in accordance with the authorization directives.
• Ensure that the Sourcing Cases (with all the available data) are ready for Sourcing Committee and/or Sourcing Board.
• Drive digitalization initiatives locally to improve procurement and stakeholders’ efficiency.

Key Competencies & Experience:

• University degree in Engineering/technology and/or Business Administration.
• Demonstrating a high level of competence in each of the Volvo Leadership competencies.
• Communicates challenges and influences a variety of stakeholders effectively including senior leadership.
• Is self-driven, ready, and able to take the initiative, originate action and take full responsibility for the decisions made.
• A strong understanding of business challenges in a global environment. Solid managerial experience working in cross-functional teams and a good overall understanding of the Volvo Group Business.
• Strong experience in Purchasing.
• Knowledgeable in current and future business trends, technology, and markets.
• Face problems and act quickly and directly. Provide direct & actionable feedback.
• Able to handle ambiguity’s and hold things together during tough times.
• Take good decisions in line with internal stakeholders, with risks and opportunities and alternative solutions in mind.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to network effectively across a diverse organization and to build sustainable relationships across functional and geographical areas.
• Able to build an effective team with a common objective and strong morale and spirit.