Indirect Procurement Category Manager
- Mauritius
- Not disclosed
- Permanent
- Added 06/05/2025
- Closing 05/06/2025
- Dana Schierhout
Seeking an Indirect Procurement Category Manager to lead sourcing, supplier management & cost optimization. Apply now!
Who is our client?
Our client is a newly established support services company that has been formed to better support and strengthen their long-standing Mauritian-based business as well as other global finance operations across their enterprise.
Role Overview
The Indirect Procurement Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies across a range of indirect spend categories within a complex and fast-paced business environment. The role requires a strong background in strategic sourcing, supplier management, stakeholder engagement, and cost optimization. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of category management principles and a proactive approach to driving value, mitigating risks, and ensuring operational excellence.
Typical Responsibilities
1. Category Strategy Development & Execution
1. Category Strategy Development & Execution
- Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies for assigned indirect procurement categories, aligning with business objectives and operational needs.
- Conduct spend analysis, market research, and benchmarking to identify cost-saving opportunities and supplier innovations.
- Define and execute multi-year roadmaps for cost optimization, supplier collaboration, and risk mitigation.
- Continuously evaluate industry trends, supply market dynamics, and emerging technologies to drive category evolution.
- Lead end-to-end sourcing processes, including RFPs/RFQs, supplier selection, and contract negotiations.
- Develop negotiation strategies that maximize value, ensure quality, and maintain service excellence.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define total cost of ownership (TCO) models, demand management approaches, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Establish and maintain supplier performance metrics, ensuring alignment with business expectations.
- Act as a trusted advisor to internal business units, understanding their procurement needs and providing strategic guidance.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to drive category adoption and governance compliance.
- Lead cross-functional teams in decision-making processes to ensure procurement solutions align with corporate goals.
- Provide procurement training, guidance, and best practices to non-procurement stakeholders.
- Partner with Legal and Risk teams to ensure that supplier contracts are structured to protect the organization and align with procurement policies.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, and ethical sourcing guidelines.
- Manage supplier agreements, ensuring contract execution, renewal, and risk mitigation.
- Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships, ensuring consistent delivery of goods and services.
- Monitor supplier performance through KPIs, SLAs, and quarterly business reviews (QBRs).
- Lead supplier development initiatives, driving continuous improvement and innovation.
- Mitigate supplier risks by ensuring contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies.
- Identify and implement cost-reduction initiatives, working closely with finance and operational teams to achieve savings targets.
- Leverage data analytics to monitor category performance and drive strategic decision-making.
- Continuously improve procurement processes by adopting best-in-class sourcing methodologies and automation tools.
What Makes a Great Candidate?
Education:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
- 7+ years of procurement experience, with a strong focus on indirect categories in a complex, multinational environment.
- Experience working in fast-paced industries such as Technology, Retail, Manufacturing, FMCG, or Financial Services is highly desirable.
- CIPS, CPSM, or other relevant procurement certifications.
- Strong command of ERP & e-Procurement systems (SAP, Ariba, Coupa, Oracle).
- Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and data analytics tools.
- Familiarity with contract management systems and supplier risk assessment tools.
- Expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier negotiations.
- Strong understanding of cost structures, demand management, and value levers.
- Capable of executing complex procurement initiatives across multiple business units.
- Analytical skills to assess supplier proposals and develop effective negotiation strategies.
- Experience managing multimillion-dollar contracts and strategic supplier agreements.
- Skilled in structuring win-win agreements focused on cost competitiveness and service excellence.
- Skilled at engaging and influencing senior leaders, fostering strong cross-functional relationships.
- Capable of driving cultural change and procurement adoption within non-procurement teams.
- In-depth understanding of supplier risk, business continuity, and regulatory requirements.
- Expertise in identifying and mitigating supply chain risks.
- Experience with ESG, sustainability, and ethical procurement practices.
- Ability to lead and develop junior procurement professionals while fostering a high-performance culture.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decisions.
- Self-motivated, results-oriented, and thrives in high-pressure environments.
Bolt Talent Solutions (Pty) Ltd
- 1st Floor, La Promenade, The Trademark, MU, 80829, Moka, Mauritius