About this role
A well-established organisation operating within the commercial refrigeration, technical solutions and food & beverage environment is seeking an accomplished Head of Procurement to lead its procurement and supply chain function This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced procurement leader who can combine strategic sourcing, commercial negotiation, technical procurement, supplier management and cross-border logistics to create measurable business value. The successful candidate will take ownership of strategic procurement activities while working closely with Engineering, Operations, Finance, Logistics and Sales to protect margins, maintain supply continuity and strengthen supplier performance across African markets Key Responsibilities: Develop and execute strategic procurement and sourcing strategies aligned with group-wide business objectives Lead local and international sourcing, supplier benchmarking, commercial negotiations and alternative sourcing strategies Negotiate pricing, commercial terms and supplier agreements while identifying sustainable cost-saving opportunities Oversee high-value purchase requisitions, purchase orders, procurement governance and expediting activities Build strategic supplier partnerships and manage vendor performance through KPIs, service levels and regular performance reviews Manage supplier disputes and implement corrective actions to protect quality, cost and continuity of supply Optimise inventory levels and replenishment strategies while balancing product availability with working capital requirements Collaborate with Engineering and Operations on technical specifications and the procurement of specialised equipment, MRO spares and technical services Coordinate inbound and outbound logistics, freight forwarding and import/export activities across African markets Manage shipment progress, customs documentation and cross-border trade requirements, including exposure to AfCFTA frameworks Support strategic customer accounts through accurate commercial quotations, pricing management, cargo monitoring and supply chain coordination Manage procurement budgets, pricing reviews and purchase price variance while protecting commercial margins Provide executive-level procurement reporting and insights to support budgeting, forecasting and strategic decision-making Lead and develop the procurement team while driving accountability, performance and procurement best practice Requirements: Degree in Supply Chain, Procurement or a related field CIPS qualification is advantageous 10–12 years' Procurement Management experience 2–5 years' experience managing procurement staff , with responsibility for approximately 2 direct reports Experience within Commercial Refrigeration, Air Conditioning or a similar technical environment Food & Beverage industry exposure will be highly advantageous Strong strategic sourcing, negotiation and supplier relationship management experience Proven exposure to technical and MRO procurement Experience managing inbound/outbound logistics, freight and cross-border supply chains Strong commercial understanding of budgets, pricing, margins and procurement cost optimisation Bonded warehouse exposure is advantageous Technical Skills: Enterprise / Enterprise Pro Advanced Microsoft Excel ERP / MRP systems Procurement analytics and reporting Supplier performance management Cross-border logistics and freight management What We're Looking For: This opportunity calls for a strong, commercially astute procurement leader who is comfortable making strategic decisions while remaining close to operational execution The ideal candidate will be highly analytical, detail-oriented, self-driven and disciplined, with the confidence to negotiate with suppliers, challenge costs and solve complex procurement and supply chain problems Success will ultimately be measured through supply continuity, cost savings, purchase price optimisation, supplier performance, procurement efficiency, governance and stakeholder satisfaction Why Join This Opportunity? This is an opportunity to take ownership of a procurement function that reaches far beyond traditional purchasing You'll influence strategic sourcing, technical procurement, supplier partnerships, inventory, cross-border logistics and commercial performance , while partnering directly with senior leadership and key business functions across a growing African operation If you're ready to move into a role where your procurement decisions directly influence cost, margin, operational continuity and business growth , this could be the next defining step in your career How to Apply If you're an experienced procurement leader ready to take ownership of a strategically important function, apply directly or contact Kavian Naidoo Please Note: If you do not receive feedback within two weeks, kindly consider your application unsuccessful. However, your profile will be retained on our database for future suitable opportunities