Procurement and Contracts Lead

Introduction

A purpose-driven organisation dedicated to strengthening South Africa's industrial and manufacturing sectors is looking for a commercially minded Procurement and Contracts Manager. This is an opportunity for someone who thrives on strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations and supplier relationship management, and who can confidently lead competitive tender processes, negotiate robust commercial contracts and ensure procurement governance from sourcing through to delivery. Working closely with internal stakeholders, industry partners and service providers, you'll play a key role in building strong supplier partnerships, managing contractual risk and supporting projects that contribute to South Africa's localisation and industrial development

What you'll be doing

• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management: Develop and execute sourcing strategies for specialised expert services and tactical procurement needs, and design and manage competitive tendering processes (RFPs, RFQs).
• Supplier Relationship & Performance Management: Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers; establish KPIs and SLA monitoring frameworks; conduct performance reviews and drive continuous improvement in delivery and cost effectiveness.
• Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate service agreements, statements of work, SLAs, MOAs, and other commercial contracts, and maintain standardised templates aligned to the organisation's risk appetite.
• Legal & Contractual Risk Management: Identify contractual risks, liabilities, and ambiguities, and advise stakeholders on the practical implications of commercial and contractual decisions.
• Contract Administration: Maintain contract management systems and repositories, monitor compliance and key dates, manage variations and renewals, and support resolution of contractual disputes.
• Regulatory & Compliance: Ensure procurement and contracting activities comply with the organisation policies, procurement regulations, and relevant legal and industry standards.
• Local Market Expertise: Leverage local market knowledge and supplier networks to source effectively and navigate regional business practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: Partner with project managers, technical teams, and leadership to translate requirements into procurement and contracting strategies and provide expert advice on sourcing and contractual matters.
• Reporting & Communication: Provide regular, clear reporting to leadership on procurement activity, contract status, supplier performance, and risk exposure.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Degree in supply chain management, business administration, commerce, or a related field.
• Candidates must demonstrate strong legal literacy in commercial contracting; formal qualifications in commercial law (e.g., LLB, paralegal diploma, or contract management certifications) are advantageous but not essential.
• Relevant Experience: 5 – 7+ years' experience in procurement and strategic sourcing, ideally combined with commercial contract drafting, negotiation, and management.
• Procurement & Sourcing Expertise: Proven track record designing and running competitive tendering processes, managing supplier relationships, and delivering cost savings and value for money.
• Contract & Legal Acumen: Sound understanding of contract law principles — offer/acceptance, liability, indemnity, warranties, termination, and dispute resolution — with demonstrable experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Risk & Compliance Management: Ability to identify legal and commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies through robust contractual and procurement frameworks
• Stakeholder Engagement & Influence: Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to align internal teams, suppliers, and service providers around shared objectives.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Capability: Strong ability to synthesise complex information and structure practical, workable solutions in ambiguous or evolving environments.
• Communication & Negotiation Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, with the confidence to negotiate assertively while maintaining collaborative relationships.

By applying you confirm that:

1. We may retain your personal information in our database for future matching.
2. We may contact you for your consent to submit your CV to suitable vacancies.
3. That the information you have submitted is true, correct and up to date.