Overview

The Head of Procurement plays a pivotal role in both strategic and tactical operations. The role’s primary focus will be on enhancing system and process efficiencies to support our production goals and ensure cost-effective procurement practices. By developing and executing robust procurement strategies, the Head of Procurement will play a critical role in reducing costs and maximizing production uptime.

This dynamic role leads initiatives to streamline procurement processes, integrate advanced technologies, and build strong supplier relationships. Expertise in managing key performance indicators will be essential in monitoring and reporting on procurement performance, identifying opportunities for improvement, and driving continuous progress.

Responsibilities

Supplier Relationship Management

• Manage and implement the optimisation strategy aimed at identifying opportunities with suppliers to reduce finished product and materials cost of goods through the effective management of supplier contracts with SA Operations stakeholders including members of the relevant category councils and SA Operations SME’s.
• Engage with Group Strategic Manufacturing: Support Services and relevant category councils on all procurement related activities including escalations of business continuity risks and cost associated impacts.
• Manage suppliers with responsible category councils and procurement nerve centers to ensure that supplier deliverables and costing are aligned with SA Operations expectations.

Procurement Management

• Design, oversee the implementation, and manage Aspen SA Operations procurement policies, procedures, and business strategies
• Developing and manage a sound and cost-effective supply base for strategic materials with relevant sites and category councils.
• Manage analysis of data from procurement performance measurement systems for cost, supplier, and category council performance to reduce expenses and improve effectiveness
• Ensure purchase requirements for service delivery, goods and services are timeously and consistently available to offer high levels of customer service – align KPI’s with relevant stakeholders for measuring the performance of suppliers and sites.
• Lead and provide analytical insight with regards to negotiations with supplier and third-party service providers
• Early identify, assess, manage, and mitigating risks – managing and analysing procurement risk registers.
• Monitoring and forecasting upcoming levels of demand
• Identifying training needs of self and direct reports to ensure increased stakeholder value
• Ensure that all new contracts are reviewed by the responsible legal counsel with relevant input from the SA Operations Strategic Manufacturing: Support Services, category councils, support SME’s (e.g. regulatory, quality and compliance) with a final endorsement from the procurement nerve centre.
• Ensure compliance to BBBEE in South Africa e.g., vendor management process and qualification of vendors.

Organisational Support & Function Management

• Manage the implementation of strategic SA Operations procurement initiatives by engaging with the relevant category councils.
• Measure and manage category council leads for regular updates of benchmarks used to contribute to the benchmarking process to ensure best pricing for Aspen SA Operations across all categories.

Procurement Integration for Cost Savings

• Manage procurement projects and tasks in the Tactical Procurement pipeline.
• Support execution of Strategic Procurement projects managed by Category Managers.
• Run end to end RFX’s (RFP’s, RFI’s, RFQ) in accordance with Category Strategies, Supplier Strategies etc - including market analysis, tender creations, negotiation strategies etc.
• Negotiate agreements and contract and ensure best possible terms and conditions for Aspen; as well as ensure all suppliers are covered by active contracts, in cooperation with Category Managers; legal and other stakeholders.
• Conduct review meetings with key stakeholders in Global Procurement.
• Support with input and new knowledge of supplier market and business need of the category/subcategory in cooperation with Category Managers.
• Participate and provide strategic guidance in Supplier Relationship Management activities (governance, personal meetings, supplier evaluations across Aspen, facilitate and resolve dispute).
• Senior advisor for stakeholders in all the aspects of procurement.

Background/experience

• Post Graduate Logistics / Supply Chain / Procurement qualification
• CIPS, SAPICS, PMI certification preferable
• Minimum 10 – 15 years’ related experience

Specific job skills

• Understanding of technical and regulatory aspects influencing pharmaceutical procurement, SAP system and process expertise
• Good knowledge of Gx P
• Pharmaceutical Project Management
• Product lifecycle management in Pharmaceuticals (API and Finished product)
• Change Management

Competencies

• Creates the future
• Performance driven
• Accountability & ownership
• Leads & influences others
• Communicates effectively
• Demonstrates passion for Aspen
• Contributes special expertise