Procurement Manager

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