About the job
This is a unique opportunity to establish and lead the procurement function at takealot.com from the ground up. As the company's first Procurement Manager, you will be responsible for creating a strategic, centralized procurement capability that drives value, efficiency, and competitive advantage across the organization.
You will build the foundation for a world-class procurement operation, developing policies, processes, and systems while establishing key supplier relationships. This role will evolve into a senior leadership position, with the successful incumbent expected to build and manage a procurement team as the function matures.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Development & Leadership
Design and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with takealot.com's business objectives and growth plans
Establish the procurement function's vision, mission, and operating model from scratch
Develop short, medium, and long-term roadmaps for procurement capability development
Build business cases for procurement initiatives and investments
Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on procurement-related matters
Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for procurement effectiveness
Process & Policy Development
Create and implement procurement policies, procedures, and governance frameworks
Develop standardized procurement processes including sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and purchase-to-pay workflows
Establish approval hierarchies and spending authorities
Design and implement a category management approach
Develop procurement templates, tools, and documentation
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate governance standards
Supplier & Stakeholder Management
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers across all categories
Develop and execute supplier selection, evaluation, and onboarding processes
Negotiate contracts and commercial terms to achieve optimal value
Implement supplier performance management frameworks
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks
Partner with internal stakeholders across all departments to understand procurement needs
Educate and influence stakeholders on procurement best practices
Cost Management & Value Creation
Identify and deliver significant cost savings and cost avoidance opportunities
Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to ensure competitive pricing
Drive value engineering and total cost of ownership (TCO) initiatives
Optimize working capital through payment terms and inventory management
Develop business cases for strategic sourcing initiatives
Track and report on procurement savings and value delivered
Technology & Systems
Select and implement appropriate procurement technology solutions (e-procurement, SRM, contract management)
Drive digitalization of procurement processes
Integrate procurement systems with existing ERP and financial systems
Leverage data analytics for procurement insights and decision-making
Champion procurement innovation and automation
Team Building & Development
Develop a hiring plan and organizational structure for the procurement function
Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing procurement team as the function scales
Create career development frameworks and succession plans
Build procurement capability through training and mentoring
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and excellence
Establish the procurement function as a trusted business partner
Minimum Required Qualification
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Commerce, or related field (Essential)
Professional procurement qualification (CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent) - Highly Advantageous or Honors
Minimum Required Experience
Minimum 8-10 years of progressive procurement experience, preferably in retail, e-commerce, logistics, or fast-paced consumer environments
Minimum Required Competencies
Proven track record of building procurement functions or leading significant transformation programs
Demonstrated experience managing complex, high-value negotiations and contracts
Experience in strategic sourcing across multiple spend categories
Strong stakeholder management experience at senior levels
Experience implementing procurement systems and digital solutions
Track record of delivering measurable cost savings and value creation