Procurement Manager - Southern Africa Cluster at British Council

• The post holder will lead and promote cross (country)-border procurement activities and ensure consideration of collaboration of opportunities is undertaken on cluster large scale procurement work. Offer support to the Senior Procurement Manager and cluster lead when called upon from time to time on specific initiatives. Provide local knowledge of suppliers, markets and stakeholders in order to provide effective and efficient support to Category Management in delivery of strategic Procurement initiatives within Southern Africa cluster.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

• Develop business knowledge including understanding the British Council’s strategic direction and ensuring this is reflected as appropriate in the Category Strategies so that supplier services are aligned to and support delivery.
• Develop, monitor and review procurement key performance indicators and service performance indicators, ensuring that corporate procurement policy is implemented in the respective countries within the cluster.
• To be a source of knowledge and provide real-time advice to colleagues in the general area of contracting with suppliers of goods and services, procurement tools and techniques especially in the public sector.
• Using central spend analysis data and local knowledge to manage and forecast spend on behalf of the countries of responsibility delivering tangible financial savings and efficiencies through value-add procurement activities.
• Support the implementation and use of InTend/e-procurement technology to increase operational efficiency, delivering the implementation of agreed payment method changes.
• Working with the Senior Procurement Manager, Global Category Managers and other Cluster Managers to advise spend categories to tender and perform market analysis/ testing ensuring alignment to Category Plans where they exist or are being established.
• Develop a qualitative and quantitative measurement and feedback system for suppliers, and ensure regular reporting to support the supplier management process.
• Support contract negotiation for major cluster and country contracts and ensure transparent, fair and logical evaluation of bids to ensure best value for money.
• Responsible for managing and forecasting spend with suppliers on behalf of the business, and conduct half yearly value for money reviews and implement improvements.
• Identify, discuss and agree clear performance objectives with direct reports and monitor these in line with the published performance management timelines as well as identifying and proactively resolving any areas of underperformance.
• Model a risk management tool that is flexible and dynamic to the cluster business supply market that ensures risks are mitigated and/ or transferred appropriately and proportionately.
• Set and manage demonstrated cost optimization profile by way of benefits tracking and periodic reporting.

Role specific knowledge and experience:

Minimum requirements:

• Degree in economics, business or social science related field
• Previous experience in cross border procuring, contracting and Supplier Relationship Management role.
• Significant experience of Category Management.
• Experience building relationships with internal stakeholders and identifying innovative ways of working with suppliers.
• Demonstrable experience and knowledge of working within main category areas (travel, facilities, consultancy, hotels, venues, marketing etc).
• Demonstrable relevant work/industry experience in cross border Procurement, contract and Supplier management.

Desirable:

• Professional qualification in procurement, CIPS
• Cross border experience