Senior Category Manager - Utilities Operations Projects

Globe 24-7 are partnering with a chemicals group to recruit a Senior Category Manager Utilities Operations Projects in Fourways, South Africa. Our client requires an experienced procurement professional to optimise services expenditure across a global portfolio of allocated categories. This opportunity offers group-wide scope to influence sourcing decisions, strengthen supplier relationships and deliver measurable improvements in Total Cost of Ownership.

The Senior Category Manager Utilities Operations Projects will execute procurement strategy for services, balancing competitive costs, appropriate service levels and acceptable supply risk. Based in Fourways, Gauteng, the successful candidate will manage allocated spend categories across our client's global operations, ensuring procurement activity complies with relevant policies and supports agreed performance indicators.

The role requires detailed analysis of existing expenditure, current and future business needs, and supply-market conditions. Working with internal customers, the successful candidate will develop sourcing strategies for review and acceptance by the business and Chief Procurement Officer, challenging supply and demand assumptions to identify sustainable commercial improvements.

• Develop category sourcing strategies that align with group procurement objectives and address utilities, operations and projects service requirements.
• Analyse procurement expenditure, demand patterns and future business requirements to identify consolidation, efficiency and value opportunities.
• Evaluate supply markets, supplier capabilities and commercial trends to inform sourcing decisions and manage exposure to supply risk.
• Execute appropriate procurement processes in accordance with policies, governance requirements and agreed category plans.
• Assess all elements of Total Cost of Ownership, questioning specifications, consumption and delivery models to identify innovative solutions.
• Negotiate commercial terms that balance competitive pricing, service quality, contractual protection and acceptable risk exposure.
• Attract, retain and engage preferred suppliers through structured relationship management and clearly defined performance expectations.
• Monitor supplier delivery and service performance, addressing underperformance and coordinating corrective actions with relevant stakeholders.
• Build effective relationships with internal customers to align procurement priorities with operational requirements and project objectives.
• Track category performance against relevant KPIs and communicate sourcing outcomes, risks and improvement opportunities to business stakeholders.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Commerce, Operations Management, Business Process Management, Analytics, Information Technology or an equivalent discipline.
• Three to five years of experience in a management position.
• Three years of category management experience would be advantageous.
• Seven or more years of strategic sourcing experience would be advantageous.
• MCIPS, PMP or SCMP professional certification would be desirable.

• Strong understanding of Total Cost of Ownership modelling and the interaction between supply, demand and lifecycle costs.
• Ability to interpret expenditure data and market intelligence, translating findings into practical sourcing recommendations.
• Commercial negotiation skills and sound judgement when balancing cost, service levels and supplier risk.
• Knowledge of services procurement, supplier performance frameworks and contractual controls relevant to utilities, operations and projects.
• Ability to influence internal stakeholders and build productive supplier relationships across geographically dispersed operations.
• Analytical thinking, attention to detail and a disciplined approach to governance, performance measurement and continuous improvement.

• Competitive remuneration package.

Our client is a diversified chemicals group serving industrial and primary-sector customers through a range of specialist businesses. It supplies chemical products, technical solutions and related services to agriculture, mining and other industrial markets, supporting customers with operational and production requirements. The group operates in South Africa and internationally, providing the successful candidate with a procurement remit spanning multiple markets and business needs.