Procurement Specialist: Hardware and Equipment

We're Hiring: Procurement Specialist: Hardware and Equipment

Location: Gauteng

Reporting Line: Manager: Procurement and Supplier Relationship Management

Job Purpose

Lesaka Merchant is looking for a Procurement Specialist: Hardware and Equipment to intelligently procure fintech hardware and equipment through specialised procurement, technology, and vendor management expertise.

This role is responsible for ensuring that hardware and equipment procurement supports operational requirements, infrastructure networking, lifecycle management, and security standards while remaining cost-effective, competitive, scalable, and compliant. The successful candidate will play a key role in mitigating procurement risks and ensuring the reliable delivery of hardware solutions that support merchant operations and business growth.

Key Responsibility Areas

Procurement Catalogue, Capacity Planning & Technician Delivery Schedules Enabled

• Develop a deep understanding of the Merchant Operations Division's procurement catalogue and supplier categories.
• Analyse capacity plans, technician deployment schedules, historical purchases, and business demand to create structured procurement plans.
• Align procurement activities to budgets, cash flow requirements, and operational needs.
• Promote BBBEE and enterprise development initiatives while effectively managing risk.
• Support strategic sourcing plans that ensure continuity of supply and operational readiness.

Strategic Sourcing, Negotiation & Cost Management

• Manage strategic sourcing activities for hardware and equipment categories.
• Define supplier evaluation criteria, considering quality, scalability, API integration, and performance requirements.
• Analyse procurement data to identify opportunities for consolidation and cost optimisation.
• Negotiate favourable commercial agreements and drive supplier performance improvements.
• Develop short and long-term procurement forecasts with Product, Sales, and Field Services teams.
• Support supplier onboarding and education on Lesaka procurement processes and governance requirements.
• Drive supplier segmentation and strategic supplier management initiatives.

Procurement & Cost Control Enabled

• Analyse spending patterns to identify maverick spend, cost-saving opportunities, and volume discount options.
• Negotiate favourable pricing structures and payment terms.
• Digitise and optimise procurement workflows, approvals, and purchase order generation.
• Implement automated approval processes aligned to procurement governance standards.
• Ensure vendor contracts comply with GDPR, PCI-DSS, and data security requirements.
• Maintain complete and audit-ready Procure-to-Pay records.
• Ensure procurement activities support merchant SLAs and customer experience objectives.
• Proactively monitor technology and supply market developments to support business continuity.

Compliance, Risk Mitigation & SLA Performance Enabled

• Assess vendor performance and obtain feedback regarding the quality and effectiveness of hardware and equipment.
• Monitor supplier ability to meet service levels and evolving business requirements.
• Identify and mitigate supplier, operational, and technology-related risks.
• Ensure all supplier engagements comply with Lesaka governance standards and regulatory requirements.
• Support resilience planning through effective supplier and contract management.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers and service providers.
• Collaborate with suppliers to drive innovation and competitive advantage.
• Influence supplier product development and identify opportunities for strategic partnerships.
• Manage supplier relationships at operational, management, and executive level.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure comprehensive understanding of supplier contracts and commercial implications.

Hardware & Equipment Procurement

• Manage procurement of fintech hardware, devices, equipment, and specialised operational machinery.
• Coordinate procurement activities to manage long lead times and ensure timely delivery.
• Support asset lifecycle management and depreciation processes.
• Provide procurement expertise relating to technical specifications, lifecycle management, asset management, and risk management.
• Ensure procured hardware meets business, security, compliance, and operational requirements.

Stakeholder Management & Alignment

• Collaborate across business functions to align procurement requirements with operational needs.
• Participate in supplier and stakeholder engagements relating to hardware and equipment SLAs.
• Drive supplier performance management and escalation processes.
• Support alignment between procurement strategy and business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with business units to enable effective procurement planning.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.

Minimum Experience

• 3–5 years' experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Relationship Management, or related commercial roles.
• Experience within banking, fintech, payments, or financial services environments.
• Strong understanding of procurement governance, supply chain management, and supplier performance management.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders at all organisational levels, including senior executives.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to contribute to strategic business initiatives.

Certifications (Advantageous)

• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Valid Driver's Licence

Knowledge Requirements

Products

• Hardware and equipment procurement
• Supplier and service delivery models
• Inventory and stock profiles

Systems

• Procurement and Sourcing Platforms
• ERP Systems
• Inventory & Warehouse Management Systems
• Supplier & Contract Management Systems

Processes

• Procurement and Strategic Sourcing
• Inventory Management
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Contract Lifecycle Management
• Procure-to-Pay Processes

Compliance Requirements

• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act
• Applicable Procurement, Supply Chain, and Governance Regulations

Work Conditions

• Office-based role.
• National travel may be required.
• Frequent engagement with suppliers, stakeholders, and operational teams.

Ready to source world-class fintech hardware and equipment, drive supplier excellence, and enable operational success through strategic procurement and vendor management?

Apply now or share this opportunity with a suitable candidate.

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