SS&C Manager: Materials and Packaging

PURPOSE OF THE JOB 

To develop and execute strategic sourcing and category management strategies across raw materials, packaging materials, moulded components and related production-critical categories for AECI Mining. The role is accountable for security of supply, cost competitiveness, supplier performance, commercial contracting, risk management and sustainable value creation, while enabling production continuity, operational excellence and business growth.

REQUIRED OUTPUTS: FUNCTIONAL

Development of sourcing and category strategies 

• Develop and implement sourcing and category strategies for raw materials, packaging materials, moulded components and related production-critical categories aligned to business and manufacturing objectives

• Establish category roadmaps and sourcing plans that support security of supply, cost optimisation, service improvement, localisation, sustainability and innovation

• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including market assessments, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations and supplier selection

• Analyse market dynamics, commodity movements, supplier capacity, cost drivers and supply chain risks to identify opportunities and threats

• Develop and maintain category risk assessments, business continuity plans and alternative-source strategies for critical inputs

• Provide market intelligence, demand insights and sourcing recommendations to support procurement planning, budgeting and business decision-making

• Ensure sourcing plans are aligned with production plans, operational requirements and business growth priorities

Cost optimisation and value delivery 

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

• Apply Total Cost of Ownership principles to supplier selection and sourcing decisions 

• Conduct spend analysis, benchmarking, cost modelling, should-cost analysis and opportunity assessments

• Partner with Technical, Quality, Manufacturing and Operations teams to identify material substitution, specification optimisation and waste-reduction opportunities

• Challenge demand specifications and consumption patterns to improve efficiency while protecting quality, safety and operational performance

• Drive standardisation, aggregation and supplier consolidation where commercially and operationally appropriate

• Track and report savings, cost avoidance, benefits realisation and other value outcomes

Supplier relationship and performance management 

• Develop and maintain a capable, competitive and appropriately diversified supplier base

• Lead supplier segmentation and establish supplier relationship management programmes for strategic and critical suppliers

• Implement supplier scorecards covering quality, cost, delivery, service, innovation, safety, sustainability and transformation

• Lead supplier performance reviews, corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives

• Drive supplier-led innovation to improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, supply resilience and commercial outcomes

• Ensure suppliers comply with contractual, technical, quality, regulatory, safety and governance requirements

• Support localisation, enterprise development and supplier development initiatives aligned to AECI objectives

Stakeholder engagement and business partnership 

• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Operations, Technical, Quality, Commercial, Engineering, Finance and SHE stakeholders

• Act as a trusted procurement advisor on Materials & Packaging sourcing, supplier and commercial matters

• Facilitate alignment between category strategies, demand plans, operational priorities and business objectives

• Provide data-driven insights and market intelligence to influence sourcing, specification and commercial decisions

• Support cross-functional initiatives aimed at reducing cost, improving quality, enabling innovation and strengthening supply chain resilience 

• Champion procurement improvement programmes, digitisation, policy rollout and disciplined stakeholder adoption

Contracts management and commercial excellence 

• Develop and execute negotiation strategies for new and existing suppliers to achieve optimal commercial outcomes and lowest total cost of ownership

• Lead negotiations for complex and high-value supply and service agreements within delegated authority

• Support the drafting, review and execution of supplier contracts in conjunction with Legal and business stakeholders

• Ensure contracts include appropriate pricing structures, service levels, risk allocation, governance mechanisms and performance provisions

• Monitor contract compliance, utilisation, expiry, renewals, amendments and delivery of contracted value

• Maintain appropriate contract coverage across critical and strategic spend categories

Transformation, sustainability and governance 

• Drive BBBEE, localisation, preferential procurement and supplier development objectives across the portfolio

• Support enterprise and supplier development initiatives that contribute to AECI transformation goals

• Ensure compliance with AECI Procurement Policies, Delegation of Authority requirements and governance standards

• Promote sustainable procurement practices incorporating environmental, social and ethical considerations

• Monitor supplier adherence to AECI safety, sustainability and ESG expectations

• Identify and manage commercial, supply, regulatory, quality and reputational risks across the portfolio

Leadership and capability development 

• Lead, coach and develop Strategic Sourcing Specialists, Advisors and Analysts within the Materials & Packaging team

• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement

• Build capability in strategic sourcing, negotiation, category management, analytics and supplier management

• Drive succession planning and talent development within the team

• Champion AECI values, ethics, culture and leadership behaviours

KPIs 

• Cost savings, cost avoidance and value delivery against targets 

• Percentage of managed spend under contract 

• Security of supply and effectiveness of category risk mitigation 

• Supplier performance across quality, OTIF, cost, service, innovation, safety and sustainability 

• Contract compliance, utilisation and delivery of contracted value 

• Reduction in supply disruptions, emergency sourcing and procurement lead times 

• Working-capital and inventory optimisation contribution 

• BBBEE, localisation and supplier development impact 

• Compliance with procurement policies, Delegation of Authority and approved sourcing processes 

• Stakeholder satisfaction and business partnership effectiveness 

• Team performance, capability development and succession readiness 

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS  

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement or a related discipline 

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

• Professional procurement certification, for example CIPS, MCIPS or CPSM, advantageous 

• Minimum of 8 years’ proven experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management or commercial management 

• Experience sourcing raw materials, packaging materials, moulded components or production-critical inputs in an industrial environment 

• Proven experience developing and implementing category strategies and delivering measurable value 

• Strong experience in complex supplier negotiations, commercial contracting and supplier performance management 

• Experience in multi-site manufacturing, mining, chemicals or multinational operations 

• Exposure to SAP ERP systems and eProcurement platforms, with Coupa advantageous 

• Demonstrated capability to lead cross-functional initiatives in a multi-regional operating environment

COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND CHARACTERISTICS) 

• Strategic sourcing and category management 
• Commercial negotiation and contract management 
• Raw materials and packaging procurement 
• Commodity and input-cost drivers 
• Supplier quality, technical, safety and regulatory requirements 
• Procurement governance and compliance frameworks 
• Collaborative and relationship-focused 
• Operationally aware and solution-oriented 
• Strong analytical judgement and attention to detail 

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