The Category Manager-Logistics is responsible for effecting the most appropriate procurement strategies and processes to optimize the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to the company at an acceptable level of supply risk, in accordance with all related policies.
Their scope of work is group-wide and will be defined by a set of spend categories allocated for their management. Analysis of current procurement expenditures, business needs both current and future, and supply markets should enable the Category Manager to develop optimal sourcing strategies for review and acceptance by business and Procurement Director
The Category Manger is responsible for identifying, attracting, retaining and engaging preferred suppliers, on terms and with relationships that are favorable to the company at competitive costs, appropriate service levels and risk exposure. The Category Manager will establish relationships with internal customers. As part of the TCO analysis, the Category Manager will question and review all elements of supply and demand, to understand internal needs.
Drive supplier development and sustainability initiatives aligned with the overarching business strategy.
Job Responsibilities:
- Sourcing Strategy Development: Identify and implement procurement strategies for Logistics category in alignment with procurement policies. Develop sourcing strategies that optimize TCO while balancing risk.
- Supplier management: Identify, evaluate, and select logistics service providers. Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure high levels of service, performance, and compliance
- Spend Analysis: Conduct detailed spend analysis by collecting, cleansing, classifying, and analyzing expenditure data to inform the current spend profile and future procurement strategies.
- Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations for contracts with suppliers of Logistics category, ensuring favorable terms and conditions. Monitor contract performance and compliance, and manage any issues or disputes that arise.
- Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks for suppliers. Regularly review and analyze performance data to ensure compliance with service levels and drive continuous improvement.
- Market Insights: Stay informed about industry trends, market conditions, and emerging technologies relevant to Logistics category. Provide insights and recommendations to enhance procurement strategies.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders including to align procurement strategies with business needs and objectives.
- Innovation and Improvement: Investigate and propose innovative approaches to meet internal demand by challenging accepted norms and practices. Contribute to business initiatives aimed at improving supply chain efficiency.
- Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all procurement activities comply with legal, regulatory, and corporate policies. Identify and manage risks related to Logistics and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Execute sourcing strategy, and appropriate sourcing events e.g., RFx as required per defined and approved sourcing strategy, with support of a cross-functional team.
- Ensure sourcing events are structured, transparent and fair, with a defensible process, to ensure participation which aligns with Company policies and the code of ethics.
- Hands-on and pro-active.
- Confirm the selection of supplier/s that best meet the selection criteria defined in the sourcing strategy.
- Lead supplier engagement by involving commercial, legal, quality, technical and other relevant parties where appropriate.
- Onboard suppliers and support business in initial engagement to ensure smooth phase in, phase out management.
- Report on sourcing strategy effectiveness and contract compliance, by reviewing adherence to the agreement by all parties (Supplier, Company Business Units, Company Procurement).
- Execute supplier management in line with the sourcing strategy and ensure that appropriate performance and evaluations occur, and that remedial action is applied as appropriate.
- Utilise contract management processes to support in contract monitoring and maintenance.
- As a subject-matter expert, provide sourcing support as required, relating to sourcing advisory and delivery services, sourcing contracts and sourcing queries and the resolution thereof, to meet operational sourcing requirements.
- Generate reports detailing the sourcing strategy key deliverables
- Support with quarterly supplier meetings driving continuous improvement and enhance service delivery.
- Ensure that sourcing processes and practices, across the procurement life cycle, strictly align with all governance requirements.
- Ensure and initiate steps to protect the company’s assets, through appropriate insurances to mitigate risk.
- Ensure savings are tracked and auditable,
- Formally track risks in line with the business risk assessment approach.
- Lead the development and maintenance of relationships with internal stakeholders by being the first point of contact for end-user sourcing queries and needs, relating to sourcing identification and delivery requirements.
- Manage stakeholder expectations on the delivery of sourcing services by providing effective, open, swift communication and issue resolution.
- Use queries/ complaints to understand sourcing problems, gather appropriate information, establish root cause and seek and propose solution options.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain,Engingeering, Business, Operations Management or equivalent.
- MCIPS (Chartered institute of Procurement and Supply), PMP (Project Management Professional) or SCMP (Supply Chain Management Professional) desirable.
- 7-10 years’ experience in Category Management with 3-5 years experience in Logistics Category.
- Ability to perform spend analysis at category and spend group level
- Ability to interpret spend analysis
- Deep understanding of Logistics Category.
- Ability to perform supply market analysis, utilising various sourcing of information.
- Ability to select performance measures based on sourcing strategy and business needs
