Purchasing Lead

Main Purpose of the Job: Is responsible for leading operational procurement execution and business-facing purchasing activities for the Chemicals business. The role ensures efficient, compliant, and value-driven purchasing delivery, while acting as the primary procurement interface for the business unit.

The role focuses on:
• Translating category strategies into execution
• Driving contract compliance and cost control
• Leading a team of Buyers
• Ensuring supply continuity and operational excellence

Reporting line: Head of Finance – Chemicals

Education / Qualifications Required

• Degree in Supply Chain management or relevant finance degree. Postgraduate qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Business Management will be advantageous;
• Competent in AI, data, master data and vendor management

Experience Required

• At least 5-7 years proven experience in procurement, category management, supply chain or operations;
• Strong ERP and eProcurement experience (SAP, Coupa)
• Solid commercial and analytical capability
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Exposure to industrial or specialty chemicals or similar industries. (Explosives Industry knowledge advantageous.)
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams

Competencies Required

A: Skills
• Strong commercial acumen
• Analytical skills
• Excellent stakeholder management
• Communication
• Influencing skills

B: Knowledge
• ERP and eProcurement
• Exposure to industrial or specialty chemicals or similar industries. (Explosives Industry knowledge advantageous)

C: Behaviours (Attributes)
• Demonstrated leadership capability
• Team development
• Performance management
• Ability to operate effectively within a matrix and corporate environment

Key Internal Stakeholders
• Business unit operations
• Finance
• SS&C Managers (DU level peers)
• Category Management team
• Logistics / Planning
• FSSC

Key External Stakeholders
• Suppliers and service providers

Key Performance Areas Input

Operational Procurement Execution
• Lead and manage end-to-end purchasing execution (requisition → PO → delivery → issue resolution)
• Ensure adherence to category strategies and contracted suppliers
• Drive contract compliance and maverick spend reduction
• Ensure accurate and timely procurement transactions in SAP/Coupa
• Manage expediting and resolution of supply disruptions

People Management
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Buyers
• Set clear KPIs (OTIF delivery, cost savings, compliance, cycle time)
• Drive a high-performance, service-oriented culture
• Support capability building across tactical and operational buying

Supplier Performance & Risk Management
•Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality and delivery reliability
•Manage supplier issue resolution and escalation
•Identify and mitigate supply and operational risks
• Support supplier reviews in collaboration with Strategic Sourcing and/or Category Managers

Business Partnering
• Act as the primary procurement interface for the assigned business unit
• Translate business requirements into clear purchasing plans
• Ensure alignment between business demand and procurement execution
• Provide input on cost drivers, price movements, and supply risks
• Ensure timely PR conversion to PO, matching of delivery notes, processing and clearing GRIR account, and assist FSSC to have updated AP listing.

Financial & Commercial Management
• Track and report on purchase price variance, savings realization and Budget adherence
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes
• Ensure cost discipline and value delivery
• AP and GRIR Ageing. No items older than 60 days.

Governance, Compliance & Process Excellence
• Ensure full compliance with procurement policies, Delegation of authority (DoA) and Contracting standards
• Maintain audit-ready procurement records
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, system utilisation (SAP, Coupa), data quality and reporting

Continuous Improvement & Transformation
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation and digital adoption / reduction of manual interventions
• Support procurement transformation initiatives led at higher levels

KPI’s
• Contract compliance (%)
• On-time, in-full delivery (OTIF)
• Purchase order cycle time
• Cost savings / cost avoidance
• Supplier performance scores
• Reduction in emergency / spot buys
• Procurement audit compliance
• Reduction in After-the-Fact POs

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