SS&C Specialist: Materials

PURPOSE OF THE JOB 

Responsible for driving the execution of sourcing strategies and leading strategic procurement initiatives across assigned Materials, Packaging and Moulded components categories within AECI Mining. Plays a critical part in delivering sustainable cost optimisation, managing supplier performance, and supporting the development of category strategies, while partnering and working cross functionally with internal stakeholders to deliver measurable business value. Work closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, Technical, Commercial, and Quality stakeholders to ensure security of supply, cost competitiveness, supplier performance and continuous improvement across the portfolio. Accountable for supporting category strategy execution, leading sourcing projects, managing supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements, and identifying opportunities for cost reduction, innovation, localisation and operational improvement. 

REQUIRED OUTPUTS: FUNCTIONAL

Development of sourcing strategies 

• Develop strategic sourcing approaches for managed materials

• Execute approved category strategies for Materials, Packaging, and Moulded components 

• Lead sourcing activities for materials and packaging commodities to ensure operational requirements are met

• Drive end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFx processes, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations, and supplier selection

• Support the development and continuous refinement of category strategies through market intelligence and demand insights 

• Conduct ongoing spend analysis, market and supplier research to identify opportunities, risks, and alternative supply sources 

• Continuously monitor supplier markets, risks and availability to support operational continuity 

• Identify alternative suppliers and sourcing opportunities to improve security of supply and responsiveness 

• Provide input into Procurement dashboards and tracking tools

• Support procurement planning through spend analysis, demand forecasting and supplier insights 

• Proactively identify and mitigate supply and commercial risks within assigned categories

• Ensure procurement activities align with operational, maintenance and shutdown requirements 

Cost Optimisation and Value Delivery 

• Conduct detailed spend analysis for managed raw materials to identify cost-saving opportunities, demand drivers, and initiatives to reduce operational inefficiencies and procurement lead times

• Identify, develop, and implement cost-saving and value-creation initiatives aligned to procurement targets 

• Support the implementation of category-led initiatives, to ensure value delivery and in line with procurement targets

• Apply total cost of ownership (TCO) principles to enable optimal sourcing decisions

• Perform cost modelling, scenario analysis, and should-cost modelling using market and supplier data 

• Support standardisation and optimisation initiatives across engineering and maintenance procurement 

• Track and report on savings delivery and benefits realisation. 

• Support optimisation of raw materials holdings to balance operational reliability and working capital requirements 

• Identify opportunities to reduce emergency procurement through improved planning, supplier alignment and sourcing strategies

Supplier relationships management 

• Build and maintain a qualified supplier base for managed raw materials spend 

• Manage supplier performance across quality, cost, service delivery and responsiveness 

• Support supplier segmentation and contribute to supplier category and/ or diversification strategies 

• Monitor supplier performance through defined KPIs (cost, quality, delivery, service, sustainability) and drive continuous improvement initiatives

• Lead supplier performance reviews and implement corrective actions where required

• Drive supplier innovation and continuous improvement 

Stakeholder engagement and collaboration  

• Partner with internal stakeholders (Operations, Commercial, Finance, S&OP, R&D) to support plant reliability and operational continuity  

• Support shutdown and turnaround planning through sourcing readiness, supplier coordination and critical materials availability 

• Contribute to S&OP processes and support demand planning inputs for key suppliers

• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to support business needs

• Continuously ensure alignment between procurement activities and operational requirements

• Support budgeting processes through accurate spend and cost analysis 

• Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders on sourcing and supplier-related matters on managed categories 

• Champion all procurement improvement programs / initiatives E.g. Digitisation, Policy Rollout 

Contracts management       

• Develop and execute negotiations strategies for new and existing suppliers to achieve optimal commercial outcomes and lowest total cost of ownership, and meet savings targets

• Lead commercial negotiations within delegated authority to achieve optimal pricing and contractual outcomes

• Support the drafting, review, and management of contracts, ensuring alignment with business requirements and risk mitigation principles

• Monitor contract compliance and utilisation, identifying risks and improvement opportunities

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with internal governance frameworks and policies 

KPIs 

• Percentage of spend under contract 

• Cost savings and value delivery against targets 

• Contract coverage achieved within assigned categories 

• Compliance to negotiated agreements 

• Compliance to procurement policies and approved vendor lists 

• Supplier scorecard performance (quality, OTIF, cost, sustainability)

• Availability of raw materials and supply continuity 

• Timely completion of sourcing initiatives 

• Successful support of project procurement milestones 

• Risk mitigation effectiveness across key categories (Reduction in supply risk exposure)

• Stakeholder satisfaction 

• BBBEE and supplier development impact 

• Working capital and inventory optimisation 

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS  

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Engineering, or related discipline 

• Postgraduate qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain or Business Management advantageous 

• Professional procurement certification (for example CIPS) advantageous 

• Minimum 5-8 years' experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Category Management, or Commercial roles

• Experience sourcing raw materials, chemicals, packaging materials, manufacturing inputs, or industrial products

• Demonstrated experience in supplier negotiations and contract management

• Experience within mining, explosives, manufacturing, chemical, industrial or FMCG environments preferred

• Experience using SAP and procurement systems such as Coupa or Ariba would be advantageous

• Strong analytical, commercial, and stakeholder management skills

COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND CHARACTERISTICS) 

• Strong communication, leadership and people management capability
• Strategic sourcing and category management 
• Procurement governance and compliance framework
• Supplier relationship management principle
• High level of integrity and governance orientation 
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving ability 
• Results-driven with strong commercial acumen 

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