SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Procurement Manager is responsible for the end-to-end procurement of materials across ASI Connect's national branch network. The incumbent will drive a disciplined, high-accountability procurement culture — proactively managing supplier relationships, enforcing robust stocktake and stock-management practices, and negotiating favourable pricing, return-of-stock, and supply terms on behalf of the business. This role demands a high-energy, commercially minded professional who is comfortable with confrontation, rigorous in process, and relentless in driving procurement efficiency.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Procurement Strategy & Planning
- Develop, implement and continuously improve a procurement strategy aligned to ASI Connect's operational and commercial objectives.
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the relevant supply markets — pricing trends, supplier capacity, lead times and risk factors.
- Establish and enforce standardised procurement processes, policies and approval frameworks across all branches.
- Proactively identify procurement risks and put mitigation plans in place before issues arise.
- Develop and maintain a preferred supplier list with clearly defined performance benchmarks, pricing structures and contractual obligations.
- Drive continuous improvement in procurement turnaround times, cost-effectiveness and stock accuracy.
Supplier Negotiation & Relationship Management
- Lead all supplier negotiations — including contract terms, volume-based pricing, standardised price lists, SLAs and return-of-stock provisions.
- Negotiate hard on pricing: secure the most competitive rates in the market and hold suppliers accountable to agreed price structures at all times.
- Actively negotiate and enforce the return of slow-moving, obsolete or unutilised stock to suppliers — this is a key commercial priority for this role.
- Manage supplier performance rigorously; escalate non-performance, pricing discrepancies or delivery failures without hesitation.
- Conduct regular supplier reviews and market comparisons to ensure the business is not overpaying and is extracting maximum value from its supplier base.
- Source, assess and onboard new suppliers where existing suppliers are underperforming or where market alternatives offer better value.
- Maintain the Procurement Governance Document; ensure all suppliers and subcontractors acknowledge, sign and return it.
Stock Control & Stocktake Accountability
- Own the stocktake process across all branches — this is a non-negotiable accountability. Stocktakes must be accurate, timely and interrogated with scepticism.
- Question all stocktake results rigorously; investigate discrepancies, variances and anomalies without exception.
- Hold Branch Managers and relevant staff to account for stocktake accuracy and process compliance — enforce consequences where branches are not meeting the required standard.
- Conduct scheduled and unannounced branch stock audits across the country to verify on-the-ground stock levels and compliance.
- Administer stock take imports on Acumatica and issue variance reports to relevant stakeholders.
- Follow up on unmatched GRNs with branches; investigate and resolve discrepancies without exception.
- Monitor and manage stock holding values per branch; flag branches with excessive or stagnant stock and drive corrective action.
- Implement and maintain an effective stock transfer process between branches to avoid over-ordering and waste.
- Drive a culture in which branches take full ownership of the procurement and stock management process — compliance is not optional.
Purchase Order & Administrative Management
- Review and approve all purchase orders for materials; verify stock codes, pricing, supplier details, VAT codes, job numbers and ledger codes before processing.
- Follow up on outstanding purchase orders with branches; resolve queries promptly and firmly.
- Maintain and update all records of purchased goods, including costs, deliveries and inventory positions.
- Approve supplier credit limit increases within defined authorisation parameters.
- Collect, verify and file supplier B-BBEE information; verify, capture and maintain supplier information on Acumatica.
- Add and maintain stock codes on Acumatica as required.
- Receive and rework supplier pricing; distribute updated pricing to branches in a clear, accessible format.
- Compile and distribute monthly stock holding reports, variance reports and procurement spend analysis.
People Management
- Directly supervise one Procurement Administrator; provide clear direction, day-to-day oversight and ongoing performance feedback.
- Set clear performance standards and hold the Procurement Administrator accountable to these.
- Support the development of the Procurement Administrator through coaching, skills transfer and structured feedback.
- Model the high-accountability, high-diligence standard expected of the entire procurement function.
Branch Engagement & Travel
- Travel frequently to ASI Connect branches across South Africa to conduct stock audits, supplier engagements, branch reviews and procurement compliance checks – a minimum of 2 branch visits per month is required.
- Build effective working relationships with Branch Managers while maintaining the authority and willingness to challenge, correct and escalate non-compliance.
- Serve as the primary procurement point of contact for all branches — resolving queries, communicating policy updates and driving process adherence.
- Report branch procurement compliance levels to the CEO and raise concerns proactively, not reactively.
Reporting & Financial Oversight
- Submit regular procurement reports to the CEO covering spend analysis, supplier performance, stock levels, variance outcomes and cost savings achieved.
- Assist in the preparation and management of procurement-related budgets.
- Analyse purchasing patterns and identify opportunities to reduce costs, eliminate waste and improve commercial outcomes.
- Track and report on key procurement metrics, including savings achieved through negotiation, return-of-stock value recovered, and stocktake compliance rates.
Any other reasonable duties and responsibilities in line with your capabilities and at the request of your Superior
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications & Experience
- A relevant Diploma or Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a procurement role, with at least 2 years in a senior or lead capacity.
- Proven track record of successful supplier negotiation — including achieving standardised pricing, cost reductions and return-of-stock agreements.
- Experience managing or overseeing stocktake processes in a multi-site environment.
Technical Skills & Knowledge
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel is critical — must be comfortable with data analysis, reconciliations and reporting).
- Acumatica system knowledge and/or prior experience on ERP/procurement systems are advantageous.
- Comprehensive knowledge of procurement and supply chain principles and best practices.
- Sound understanding of budget management and cost-accounting principles as they relate to procurement.
- Understanding of IT infrastructure and related materials is advantageous.
- Valid driver's licence and own reliable vehicle are essential.
- Must be willing and able to travel frequently to branches across South Africa.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Afrikaans is advantageous.
BEHAVIOURAL REQUIREMENTS
This role is not suited to someone who avoids conflict or relies on goodwill to get things done. The successful candidate will be commercially hard-edged, relentlessly proactive and supremely organised. The following attributes are non-negotiable:
- Low agreeableness: comfortable holding firm positions under pressure, delivering difficult feedback and having direct, uncomfortable conversations with suppliers, branch staff and internal stakeholders without backing down.
- High accountability: takes personal ownership of outcomes and expects the same from others — does not accept excuses or substandard performance.
- Proactive and self-driven: does not wait to be told what to do; anticipates problems, drives process and stays ahead of procurement requirements at all times.
- Commercially astute: always looking for cost savings, better deals and smarter ways to manage stock and supplier relationships.
- Highly organised and detail-oriented: manages multiple priorities, deadlines and branch relationships simultaneously without dropping the ball.
- Results and deadline driven: meets commitments, tracks progress rigorously and escalates when something is at risk.
- Strong integrity and ethics: maintains a high standard of honesty and transparency in all supplier and internal dealings.
- Resilient and adaptable: thrives in a fast-paced, high-demand environment and adjusts quickly to changing business needs.
- Excellent interpersonal skills: able to build credibility and respect quickly — equally comfortable engaging with suppliers, branch managers and the CEO.
- Professional in appearance and conduct at all times.
Job Type: Full-time
Application Question(s):
- What is your salary expectation for this position?
- Do you have a roadworthy vehicle?
Education:
- Diploma (Required)
Experience:
- procurement: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- drivers license? (Required)
Work Location: In person