Stock & Procurement Manager

Job Description

Position Summary

The Stock & Procurement Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational management of procurement, inventory, warehousing governance, supplier performance, and stock controls across the business. The role ensures the uninterrupted supply of materials and equipment, optimal inventory levels, strong supplier relationships, cost effective procurement practices, and robust stock accountability.

The incumbent will lead procurement and inventory teams, drive commercial value through supplier negotiations, ensure stock accuracy and governance, and support operational delivery through effective planning and supply chain management.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Management

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing through to purchase
• order issuance and delivery.
• Source and evaluate suppliers based on quality, cost, service, capacity, and risk.
• Lead supplier negotiations to secure competitive pricing, payment terms, rebates,
• and service levels.
• Manage RFQs, tenders, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies and delegated authority
• limits.
• Drive procurement savings and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, pricing movements, and supply chain risks.
• Develop alternative supplier strategies to reduce dependency and supply risk.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives and long-term supply agreements.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and scorecard assessments.
• Monitor supplier service levels, delivery performance, and quality standards.
• Resolve supplier disputes, claims, shortages, and pricing discrepancies.
• Ensure suppliers comply with contractual obligations and service agreements.
• Manage supplier on-boarding and due diligence requirements.
• Monitor supplier financial stability and business continuity risks.

Stock & Inventory Management

• Develop and maintain inventory management policies and controls.
• Ensure optimal stock levels are maintained to support operational requirements while minimising working capital investment.
• Manage inventory planning, forecasting, replenishment, and demand management processes.
• Monitor stock levels, reorder points, safety stock, and stock ageing.
• Review slow-moving, excess, obsolete, and damaged stock and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and reporting.
• Drive initiatives to improve inventory turns and stock utilisation.
• Implement inventory optimisation strategies across all warehouses and stock locations.

Warehouse Governance & Control

• Ensure robust stock control procedures are implemented and adhered to.
• Oversee cycle counts, stock counts, stock audits, and reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve stock variances and losses.
• Ensure physical stock security and safeguarding of company assets.
• Monitor warehouse operational performance and stock handling practices.
• Ensure compliance with stock issue, transfer, return, and receiving procedures.
• Review warehouse policies and continuously improve inventory processes.

Contractor & Field Stock Management

• Ensure stock issued to contractors and field teams is accurately tracked and accounted for.
• Monitor contractor-held inventory and stock balances.
• Review stock recoveries, returns, losses, and damaged materials.
• Investigate unrecovered stock and implement recovery plans.
• Ensure accountability for company assets held by contractors and third parties.
• Establish controls and reporting for contractor stock usage and consumption.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Develop procurement budgets and inventory forecasts.
• Monitor procurement spend against approved budgets.
• Identify and deliver procurement savings opportunities.
• Support cash flow optimisation through effective purchasing and inventor management.
• Review stock provisions, write-offs, and inventory adjustments.
• Ensure accurate inventory accounting and financial reporting.
• Work closely with Finance to support month-end, budgeting, forecasting, and audit processes.
• Analyse procurement and inventory KPIs and provide actionable recommendations.

Planning & Demand Management

• Collaborate with Operations, PMO, Build, Maintenance, and Commercial teams to forecast material requirements.
• Develop procurement and inventory plans based on project forecasts.
• Ensure long-lead items are sourced and secured proactively.
• Monitor supply chain constraints and implement contingency plans.
• Align procurement activities with business growth and project delivery requirements.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, approval frameworks, and governance standards.
• Manage procurement and stock-related audit requirements.
• Maintain accurate procurement and inventory records.
• Ensure contracts, supplier agreements, and documentation are up to date.
• Identify and mitigate procurement, supplier, and inventory risks.
• Monitor compliance with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements where applicable.
• Develop business continuity plans for critical suppliers and materials.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop Procurement, Inventory, and Warehouse teams.
• Establish clear objectives and performance expectations.
• Drive accountability, collaboration, and service excellence.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and development planning.
• Build succession plans and strengthen team capability.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Reporting & Analytics

• Develop and maintain procurement and inventory dashboards.
• Prepare weekly and monthly management reports.
• Report on:

• Procurement spends
• Cost savings achieved
• Supplier performance
• Stock holding values
• Stock ageing
• Inventory turns
• Stock variances
• Stock losses
• Contractor stock recoveries
• Forecast versus actual consumption
• Purchase order commitments
• Provide insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Procurement

• Procurement savings achieved (Rands and percentage).
• Purchase price variance.
• Supplier contract compliance.
• Supplier on-time delivery performance.
• Procurement cycle time.
• Emergency purchase percentage.

Inventory

• Inventory accuracy.
• Inventory turnover ratio.
• Days inventory on hand.
• Stock ageing levels.
• Slow-moving and obsolete stock values.
• Stock write-off levels.

Governance & Controls

• Stock count accuracy.
• Stock variance percentage.
• Audit findings.
• Supplier compliance levels.
• Contractor stock recovery rate.

Financial

• Inventory holding value versus target.
• Procurement spends versus budget.
• Working capital performance.
• Forecast accuracy.

Operational

• Material availability rate.
• Project material readiness.
• Service level achievement.
• Warehouse productivity and efficiency.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Procurement, Logistics, Finance,
• Commerce, or related field.
• CIPS, SAPICS, CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent procurement/supply chain qualification advantageous.

Experience

• 7-10 years' experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Inventory Management, or
• Warehouse Operations.
• 3-5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Experience within Telecommunications, Fibre, Construction, Infrastructure, Utilities, or Engineering environments preferred.
• Strong experience managing high-value inventory and supplier contracts.

Key Competencies

Technical

• Strategic Sourcing
• Supplier Negotiation
• Inventory Optimisation
• Commercial Acumen
• Contract Management
• Supply Chain Planning
• Financial Analysis
• ERP Systems
• Procurement Governance
• Risk Management

Leadership

• Team Leadership
• Stakeholder Management
• Decision Making
• Problem Solving
• Accountability
• Change Management
• Communication & Influence
• Continuous Improvement