Indirect Sourcing Specialist (12 Month Contract) at Mars

What are we looking for?

• Bachelors degree in Purchasing or Supply Chain or equivalent
• 4-5 years of experience in an indirect strategic procurement environment (Indirect portfolio strategy development and execution - non-negotiable).
• Cost modeling/formula price modeling experience
• Strong numerical ability to interpret financial data, and develop, apply, and understand in-depth costing models
• Experience managing multiple suppliers/service providers with varying levels of spend
• Strong analytical skills & market knowledge
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Financial understanding related to budgeting and price variance
• Stakeholder engagement and influence
• Detail oriented. Strong computer and analysis skills; able to handle multiple projects at one time
• High drive for performance and deliverables to meet targets
• Experience in the development, implementation and monitoring of policies, governance protocols, systems & controls in-line with best practices
• Ability to work on and navigate multiple in-directs categories from a strategic procurement perspective, whilst dealing with multiple stakeholders of various disciplines
• The ability to drive efficiencies and unlock new value
• The ability to translate strategy into performance
• Strong research and application skills to analyze market trends and assess applicability at a strategic and tactical level
• The ability to interpret complex contracts from a Commercial perspective, including the ability to draft and apply Commercial clauses.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Analyze supply and demand fundamentals to forecast and budget annual spend.
• Understand monthly price variances and implement opportunities for improvement.
• Deliver the overall business plans by working with internal and external stakeholders to align on goals and strategies.
• Work with all suppliers/service providers to improve payment terms in line with Regional and/or Global policies.
• Ensure sound contractual governance is maintained within portfolio (contractual drafting and finalization with internal legal assistance, implementation, and review – including SLA and KPI matrix adherence).
• Represent Commercial in meetings with peers of various levels and contribute to projects, and process improvement activities.
• Contribute toward sustainability goals and DIB savings goals and objectives.
• Ensures compliance with proper procedures, policies, systems and controls.
• Identifies and manages supplier collaboration initiatives (i.e., continuous improvement programs, clear KPI settings, Service level agreements, process optimization …)
• Ensure effective risk management of the supply base, through robust contracts and monitoring of financial and other KPIs. Implement corrective actions as appropriate. 
• Manage all related commercial, financial & ethical aspects of projects and of assigned categories.
• Continuous improvement upon the business processes that currently exist through measurement with current best of class analysis and benchmarking exercises.
• Alignment with key business stakeholders on planned savings initiatives and projects, and that the necessary approvals are obtained.
• Coordinate and facilitate the communication process between all functions to ensure the efficient and effective flow of the information required to run the business.
• Continually review new processes and Vendor base to ensure new supply/service provider opportunities exist.
• Establish & maintain relationships with Finance team and departmental heads (plant manager, Pillar Heads, supply chain manager, P and O, Corporate affairs manager and others), and their teams to ensure understanding of their needs and to facilitate the appropriate level of engagement considering challenges.
• Development, implementation and monitoring of policies, governance protocols, systems & controls as well as best practices.
• Liaise with Royal Canin Indirect Community (Regional and Global) on opportunities.
• Participate in external forums and associations e.g., Mars Foods and Multisales South Africa Teams.
• Carries out supplier performance reviews on a regular basis for in scope categories.
• Determines when collaborative strategies are not possible and if a Unit approach is necessary.
• Custodian of Contract tracker file: updating, review and monitoring of file. Follow up with relevant stakeholders in relation to contracts, contractual review and maintenance, including contract KPI/Service Level tracking and Vendor Performance reviews.
• Onboarding of new service providers/suppliers as part of the vendor management process, in collaboration with the S&F Department.
• Responsible for all strategic sourcing activities relating to assigned category portfolio, including but not limited to: BARS, MSSM, RFI’s/RFQ’s/RFP’s etc.
• Work in collaboration with other regional buying managers.
• Travel is 15 – 20% of the time (Subject to change)
• Note: The indirect portfolio allocation is subject to change based on business operational requirements.