Manager Procurement and Supplier Relationships

We’re Hiring: Manager: Procurement and Supplier Relationships

Are you a strategic procurement professional with a passion for supplier relationship management, commercial negotiations, and creating sustainable value through strategic sourcing?

Lesaka Merchant is looking for a Manager: Procurement and Supplier Relationships to join our Merchant Operations Division. This role is ideal for a commercially astute leader who can drive procurement excellence, optimise supplier performance, manage risks, and build strategic partnerships that enable operational efficiency, scalability, and exceptional customer experiences.

Job purpose

To purposefully and strategically lead and optimise procurement and supplier relationship management through collaborative strategic sourcing that is cost-effective, mitigates risk, is secure and scalable, enables supplier performance management, and supports a high-performing Merchant Division that delivers exceptional customer experiences and achieves its strategic goals.

Key Responsibility Areas

Procurement and Supplier Relationship Strategy and Value Enablement Delivered

• Translate customer experience requirements, employee engagement needs, and growth aspirations into a practical procurement and supplier relationship strategy.
• Develop procurement catalogues and category strategies aligned to supplier segmentation and business priorities.
• Identify, assess, and prioritise strategic suppliers and critical partners that support the merchant journey.
• Develop supplier relationship management strategies for strategic fintech partners, payment providers, and transactional suppliers.
• Establish governance frameworks, engagement standards, performance review mechanisms, and conflict management practices.
• Promote enterprise development and support BBBEE-aligned supplier participation while maintaining effective risk controls.

Procurement and Supplier Relationship Processes, Standards and Practices Developed

• Develop and implement standardised procurement and supplier engagement processes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that optimise procurement efficiency and reduce costs.
• Create opportunities for cost reduction, supplier innovation, supplier consolidation, and performance improvement.
• Ensure suppliers comply with Lesaka's security, privacy, governance, and operational requirements.
• Develop short- and long-term procurement forecasts in collaboration with Products, Sales, and Field Services.
• Drive supplier onboarding, induction, and education programmes to improve operational alignment and minimise procurement friction.
• Leverage aggregate demand to deliver commercial advantages and supplier stability.

Compliance and SLA Performance Enabled

• Ensure procurement activities support operational service levels and customer experience objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance and proactively manage risks that could impact the business.
• Maintain compliance with Lesaka standards, legislative requirements, and supplier governance frameworks.
• Drive proactive risk identification, mitigation planning, and supplier accountability.
• Ensure supplier performance contributes positively to operational resilience and business continuity.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Lead supplier screening, onboarding, registration, and induction activities.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier account plans and supplier performance frameworks.
• Build executive-level supplier relationships that drive innovation, collaboration, and competitive advantage.
• Negotiate favourable commercial agreements and maximise value from supplier partnerships.
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews and performance assessments.
• Promote supplier innovation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance the merchant experience.
• Create value through strategic supplier partnerships and strong commercial relationship management.

Stakeholder Management and Alignment

• Collaborate across business functions to understand procurement requirements and future demand.
• Partner with Products, Sales, Supply Chain, Warehousing, and Field Services teams to support business growth.
• Participate in internal and external stakeholder engagements relating to service delivery and supplier performance.
• Drive alignment between procurement planning, inventory requirements, warehousing capacity, and operational needs.
• Implement supplier performance management practices that support customer experience and operational excellence.
• Ensure clear communication, expectation alignment, and collaboration across all stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

Matric is Mandatory.

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, Business Administration, Commerce, or a related field.
• 5+ years' experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Relationship Management, Commercial Management, or Supply Chain leadership roles.
• Experience in a banking, fintech, payments, technology, or financial services environment.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiations, contract management, procurement governance, and supplier performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Experience managing strategic supplier partnerships and driving commercial value through procurement initiatives.
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) qualification is advantageous.
• Valid Driver's Licence is advantageous.

Ready to take ownership of procurement and supplier relationships while driving strategic sourcing excellence and business value at Lesaka Merchant?

Apply now or share this opportunity with a colleague who would be a great fit.

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