Category Lead – Non-ICT Procurement

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng

Employment Type: Permanent

Salary: Market Related (To Be Confirmed)

About The Opportunity

A leading South African organisation is seeking an experienced

Category Lead – Non-ICT Procurement to drive strategic sourcing initiatives and develop category strategies that deliver long-term commercial value.

This is a senior procurement leadership role responsible for managing high-value spend categories, leading complex supplier negotiations, driving sourcing strategies, and partnering with senior stakeholders across the business to optimise procurement performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement multi-year category strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives and manage complex procurement projects.
• Drive supplier negotiations to achieve commercial and operational value.
• Manage contract negotiations and oversee the full source-to-contract lifecycle.
• Ensure procurement governance, compliance, and risk management requirements are met.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and strategic suppliers.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, supplier innovation, and value creation.
• Lead procurement planning, budgeting, and performance management activities.
• Coach and develop procurement team members while promoting best procurement practices.
• Analyse procurement data and market trends to support strategic decision-making.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Information Technology or a related field.
• Professional procurement qualification (such as MCIPS) will be highly advantageous.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in Procurement Category Management.
• At least 3–5 years' experience in a management or leadership role.
• Strong experience developing and executing category strategies.
• Extensive experience in strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
• Proven track record negotiating large and complex commercial contracts.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and executive communication skills.
• Strong commercial, financial and analytical acumen.
• Experience managing procurement projects with multiple stakeholders.

Highly Desirable Experience

Experience managing one or more of the following spend categories:

• Facilities Management
• Professional Services
• Human Capital Services
• Finance Services
• Legal Services
• Consultant and Contractor Procurement

Key Skills

• Strategic Sourcing
• Category Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Procurement Strategy
• Commercial Negotiation
• Contract Management
• Financial Analysis
• Data Analysis
• Stakeholder Management
• Project Management
• Procurement Governance
• Risk & Compliance
• Supply Chain Management

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to influence strategic procurement decisions.
• Work with senior business leaders on high-impact sourcing initiatives.
• Career growth within a respected organisation.
• Competitive remuneration package (salary currently being finalised).