Senior Manager: National Procurement

We’re Hiring: Senior Manager: National Procurement Lesaka Merchant is looking for a Senior Manager: National Procurement to join our Merchant Operations Division . This role is ideal for a highly experienced procurement professional who can lead national procurement operations, optimise supplier performance, drive cost efficiencies, and build a procurement function that supports a rapidly growing fintech business. Job purpose To deliver strategic, best-in-class national procurement solutions to the Merchant Operations Division, ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, supplier performance, and cost effectiveness through innovative procurement practices, standardised processes, and data-driven decision-making that support scalable growth and exceptional customer experiences. Key Responsibility AreasProcurement Strategy and Value Enablement Delivered • Develop and implement a procurement strategy aligned to the Merchant Operations Division's product catalogue, customer experience objectives, operational requirements, and growth ambitions. • Understand local and international supply markets and adjust procurement strategies to support evolving business and customer requirements. • Develop procurement category strategies, supplier segmentation frameworks, and sourcing approaches that maximise value while managing risk. • Drive enterprise supplier development initiatives and BBBEE participation while maintaining strong procurement governance. • Embed data-driven decision-making, cost management, and performance measurement across procurement activities. Managed Procurement and Receipt of Quality Assured Equipment, Goods, Services and Consumables • Lead procurement activities across equipment, devices, products, consumables, services, and operational requirements. • Ensure procurement activities are aligned with category management strategies and inventory requirements. • Oversee quality assurance processes to ensure all procured goods and services meet required standards. • Monitor inventory alignment with demand forecasts and operational requirements. • Drive improvements in procurement turnaround times, service delivery, and operational responsiveness. • Support automation and integration of procurement systems to improve efficiency and scalability. Compliance and SLA Performance Enabled • Ensure procurement operations support operational service levels and customer experience objectives. • Maintain awareness of developments in technology, devices, equipment, and supplier markets to ensure procurement strategies remain relevant and competitive. • Monitor supplier performance and proactively manage risks that may impact operational performance. • Ensure compliance with procurement policies, legislative requirements, BBBEE frameworks, and governance standards. • Drive proactive supplier risk management and business continuity planning. Efficient Dispatch and Order Fulfilment Enabled • Provide oversight to ensure the accuracy and completeness of dispatched orders. • Monitor dispatch performance, turnaround times, inventory utilisation, and fulfilment effectiveness. • Drive standardisation of dispatch processes and documentation. • Ensure seamless alignment between procurement, warehousing, dispatch, and operational functions. • Support continuous improvement initiatives to improve customer delivery experiences. Process, Systems and Business Rules Optimisation • Identify procurement processes, systems, and business rules that impact operational efficiency and customer experience. • Design and implement process improvements that drive effectiveness, scalability, and cost optimisation. • Develop and maintain procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement, inventory management, and supplier management processes. • Support digital transformation and automation initiatives across procurement operations. Stakeholder Management and Alignment • Collaborate across business functions to understand product, equipment, stock, and operational procurement requirements. • Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships that drive value and improve service delivery. • Partner with Sales, Customer Care, Field Services, Warehousing, Fleet Management, Technology, and Supply Chain teams to align procurement activities to business needs. • Participate in stakeholder engagements regarding service levels, supplier performance, and procurement priorities. • Ensure effective communication, collaboration, and expectation management across stakeholders. People Leadership, Capability and Team Performance Enabled • Lead and develop a high-performing National Procurement team. • Ensure appropriate organisational capability, workforce planning, and succession planning. • Manage team performance, accountability, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives. • Provide coaching, mentoring, and leadership to team members. • Drive a customer-focused, values-driven, and performance-oriented culture. • Support talent retention, employee engagement, and capability development initiatives. Qualifications & Experience • Matric is Mandatory. • Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration , or a related field. • Minimum 8–12 years' experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Management, or Procurement Leadership roles. • Experience within banking, fintech, financial services, technology, or similarly fast-paced environments . • Strong understanding of procurement operations, supplier management, sourcing strategies, inventory management, and service delivery. • Proven experience leading procurement teams and engaging effectively with senior leadership and executive stakeholders. • Demonstrated ability to drive procurement transformation, operational efficiency, and commercial value creation. • Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) certification is advantageous Knowledge Requirements Products • Operational products and equipment • Supplier and service delivery models • Inventory and stock management principles Systems • Procurement and sourcing systems • ERP platforms • Inventory and warehouse management systems • Supplier and contract management systems Processes • Strategic sourcing and procurement management • Inventory and warehouse management • Supplier relationship management • Contract management • Procurement governance and compliance • ️ Compliance Requirements • Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) • Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act • Procurement and Supply Chain Regulations • Supplier Governance Frameworks • Internal Procurement Policies and Standards Ready to lead a strategic procurement function, optimise supplier performance, and enable scalable growth through world-class procurement solutions at Lesaka Merchant? 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