Category Manager
At De Beers Group our purpose is to Make Life Brilliant.
We believe that a sustainable business is purposeful, competitive, resilient and agile - it’s a business that thrives through both economic and social cycles. By understanding the context and listening to stakeholders we stay ahead of evolving trends and provide the solutions to societal expectations. By solving the physical challenges of mining through relentless innovation, and constantly searching for more responsible ways to do business, we are changing the way our employees and stakeholders experience our business - creating enduring value for all stakeholders. Sustainability is at the heart of our decision-making - it is how we do business.
The Category Manager is responsible for managing negotiable operational spend. This role is a shared services role and provides strategic sourcing capability across the GoC - directly supporting the wholly managed business units and the joint ventures.
TYPICAL TASKS
Manage the supply of strategic Upstream Commodities and Services to the De Beers Group of Companies (GoC) in order to ensure
- maximum benefit and value add, in line with the organization’s strategic needs
- operational and contractual compliance to minimise risk to the business
- strategic supplier relationship management
Lead the definition and implementation of category strategies to drive
- value delivery
- spend/cost optimisation
- supply risk mitigation
- with specific emphasis on identifying and realizing opportunities to reduce costs in a sustainable manner while achieving company objectives (i.e: local spend and HDSA spend)
Be responsible for creating and maintaining strategic contracts for the De Beers group. Facilitate the inclusion and ongoing management of De Beers businesses in Anglo American group contracts.
Be accountable for the development of relationships with strategic suppliers and management of specific Total Cost of Ownership benefits to ensure business requirements are satisfied
Lead the development, improvement and roll out of category strategies with the requisite input and buy in from the key stakeholders internally and relevant functional leadership based on strategic sourcing strategies principles.
- Category segmented spend is available to the stakeholders and the various strategies and strategic sourcing needs are communicated
- Category strategies, value delivery plans and initiatives pipeline in place to drive value delivery across the GoC
- Category strategies address strategic sourcing initiative focus and spend conversion value reflects progression.
Drive and support a consistent approach to the advancement of local procurement and black economic empowerment focus.
- Black economic spend and local procurement is actively managed and increased.
- New alternative suppliers are established, being evaluated and invited to take part in commercial bidding activities
Negotiate and manage high value and production critical strategic commodity and service contracts - including amendments, price adjustments and general contract administration.
Supplier relationship management and supplier sourcing strategies are managed to ensure on time and in full receiving of required products and services. Drive and support a consistent approach to develop and maintain key supplier relationships and ensure sustainable supply and delivery of the right goods and services, at the right time, right place and at the best commercial terms
- Stakeholder maps, engagement forums and value delivery plans are defined to enable the rollout of category strategies and value delivery.
- Review and manage vendor performance and contractual compliance to identify deviations and initiate appropriate corrective action timeously
Management of contracts in line with procurement governance procedures and Global Anglo Group standards
- Price escalation controls
- Contracts registers
- Performance management are in place to ensure effective contract administration practices
Ensure the effectiveness of Business Unit and Group contracts by:
- Integrate Business Unit contracts into global group frame work agreements through liaisons with the group category managers
- Integrating client and technical requirements with business objectives
- Benchmarking both pricing and commodity performance of strategic commodities against industry peers
- Increasing group-wide contract expenditure
- Reviewing supplier performance and contractual compliance regularly
- Managing strategic supplier relationships
- Rationalising supplier base by consolidating and contracting off-contract spend
Lead and contribute towards the development of TCO models for key categories jointly with the Asset Optimization team.
Manage and mitigate the supply chain risk associated with suppliers in the category
Lead the development, improvement and roll out of category strategies with the requisite input and buy in from the key stakeholders internally and relevant functional leadership based on strategic sourcing strategies principles.
- Category segmented spend is available to the stakeholders and the various strategies and strategic sourcing needs are communicated.
- Category strategies, value delivery plans and initiatives pipeline in place to drive value delivery across the GoC
- Category strategies address strategic sourcing initiative focus and spend conversion value reflects progression.
Drive and support a consistent approach to the advancement of local procurement and black economic empowerment focus.
- Black economic spend and local procurement is actively managed and increased.
- New alternative suppliers are established, being evaluated and invited to take part in commercial bidding activities
Negotiate and manage high value and production critical strategic commodity and service contracts - including amendments, price adjustments and general contract administration.
Supplier relationship management and supplier sourcing strategies are managed to ensure on time and in full receiving of required products and services. Drive and support a consistent approach to develop and maintain key supplier relationships and ensure sustainable supply and delivery of the right goods and services, at the right time, right place and at the best commercial terms
- Stakeholder maps, engagement forums and value delivery plans are defined to enable the rollout of category strategies and value delivery.
- Review and manage vendor performance and contractual compliance to identify deviations and initiate appropriate corrective action timeously
Management of contracts in line with procurement governance procedures and Global Anglo Group standards
- Price escalation controls
- Contracts registers
- Performance management are in place to ensure effective contract administration practices
Ensure the effectiveness of Business Unit and Group contracts by:
- Integrate Business Unit contracts into global group frame work agreements through liaisons with the group category managers
- Integrating client and technical requirements with business objectives
- Benchmarking both pricing and commodity performance of strategic commodities against industry peers
- Increasing group-wide contract expenditure
- Reviewing supplier performance and contractual compliance regularly
- Managing strategic supplier relationships
- Rationalising supplier base by consolidating and contracting off-contract spend
Lead and contribute towards the development of TCO models for key categories jointly with the Asset Optimization team.
Manage and mitigate the supply chain risk associated with suppliers in the category
Perform supplier and product research according to business objectives to ensure value-add
Ensure that commodities are sourced in accordance with technical, commercial and sustainability specifications
Initiate and participate in projects and initiatives as necessary
Facilitate the review and revision of relevant DBGS Sourcing policies, procedures and standards.
- A Commercial/Business/Engineering degree
- Advanced university qualifications, preferably in business administration, commerce, or other relevant discipline (such as MBA, MCIPs) will be an advantage
- Extensive experience in Supply Chain or Mining/Plant/ Maintenance environment or Downstream environments
Experience:
- 5-10 year relevant supply chain experience.
- Experience in both Direct and Indirect category management and sourcing is required;
- Ability to engage, network and influence senior management and large suppliers.
- Proven track record for problem solving and change management.
- Proven track record of successful delivered projects
- Must demonstrate an understanding of strategic sourcing techniques and total cost of ownership analysis or demonstrate aptitude for full training in this discipline
- Technical knowledge related to the area of responsibility (mining and processing category area)
- Background in and understanding of legal and contractual terms and conditions
- Experience in the leadership and management of people is required.
- Specific experience in extractive metallurgical plant equipment and services will be an advantageous
Skills required for role:
- Interpersonal skills
- Negotiation skills
- Networking skills
- Business acumen
- Change management skills
- Technical skills related to area of responsibility (mining category area).
Technical Competencies:
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Procurement Policy & Process
- Industry and Market Research
- Supplier Negotiation
- Category Knowledge
- TCO Modeling
- Spend Analytics
- Contracts Management, Creation and Approval
- Supplier Governance
- Managing Complex Cross Functional Business Relationships
- Sourcing Strategy Formulation & Value Creation
Our Values
Put Safety First
We consider all risks to people and the environment before proceeding with any activity. We address risks before beginning any activity, even if this means stopping a task. Zero Harm is always our goal.
Be Passionate
We are exhilarated by the product we sell, the challenges we face and the opportunities we create.
Pull Together
Being united in purpose and action, we will turn the diversity of our people, skills and experience into an unparalleled source of strength.
Build Trust
We will always listen first, then act with openness, honesty and integrity so that our relationships flourish
Show we Care
The people whose lives we touch, their communities, nations and the environment we share, all matter deeply to us. We will always think through the consequences of what we do so that our contribution to the world is real, lasting and makes us proud.
Shape the Future
We will find new ways. We will set demanding targets and take both tough decisions and considered risks to achieve them. We will insist on excellent execution and reward those who deliver.
Closing Date: 16September 2026