Do you have expertise in, and passion for science working in the Procurement Department and creating value for the bottom-line exceeding expectations of business owners? If so, Astra Zeneca might be the one for you!

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

Astra Zeneca is a global, innovation-driven Biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At Astra Zeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. Our strategic priorities reflect how we are working to deliver our strategy and achieve our Purpose. As a workforce, we are the catalyst for our values: we are entrepreneurial; we do the right thing; we play to win; we put patients first and we follow the science. As a company we appreciate and take great pride in each team member where every person is brought together through shared values, that underpins a shared purpose. There’s no better place to feel inspired and energised. At Astra Zeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Join the fastest-growing pharmaceutical in our markets, set up to fuel further growth. Be part of our shared ambition and pride: our strong heritage, our turnaround story, and early investment and commitment in International markets. There’s no better place to feel inspired and energized.

ABOUT OUR PROCUREMENT TEAM

Procurement Team is an integral part of the Finance/Procurement Team under the leadership of our CFO. We’re a high-performing and dynamic team with even higher expectations. Set up to adapt quickly to constant change – whether it’s new data or changes in the external environment – we are here to support and drive commercial/procurement/financial strategies to make business successful. We’re flexible, agile, thinking outside the box, getting things done. We empower the business to perform at its peak and lead in new ways of working. We contribute to the development and drive implementation, of operational plans to achieve procurement strategy objectives for the business. We do it all at the highest compliance and governance standards and expect the same from other.
Given the space and support to prove ourselves, we speak up, embrace learning, seize opportunities, and make them happen in our own way. We understand how science impacts patients. It keeps us focused on the path of biggest impact, never distracted by commercial success alone.

What you’ll do?
Here you will be leading the procurement team supporting SA and SSA markets. You will drive Procurement Strategy, oversee Supply/Procurement activities and be responsible for supplier relationship management. You will handle complex management issues and provide guidance/coaching to more junior staff on sourcing and other business-related issues. You will be the first contact person for the business in all regards related to Procurement driven activities. As part of your role, you ensure all sourcing arrangements are successful and aligned to company and Middle East and Africa Area strategy, manage supplier relationships at a strategic level while bringing all the possible benefits to business.

Typical Accountabilities will include:

• Handles complex management issues and provides guidance to more junior staff on sourcing related issues. Ensures all sourcing arrangements are successful and aligned to company and area strategy and manages supplier relationships at a strategic level. Otherwise, may be responsible for strategic planning, relationship management and reviews of existing supplier arrangements for an entire spend category for a region or all of Astra Zeneca.
  
• Acts as lead for a significant functional area within procurement or manages a group of smaller functions.
  
• Contributes to the development, and drives implementation, of operational plans to achieve procurement strategy objectives.
  
• Ensures procurement processes and supplier management are implemented in line with identified Astra Zeneca policies, procedures and standards, to achieve agreed scope.
  
• Provides technical guidance to team members and customers on procurement processes by using existing knowledge and experience and by seeking out information to resolve problems.
  
• Manages and monitors supplier spend against budgeted targets.
  
• Investigate current and future procurement needs, communicating them appropriately and translating them into specific requirements.
  
• Manages the demand and supply activities within areas of responsibility within procurement.
  
• Oversees the introduction of new processes from the identification of business need, through to the timely introduction and formal acceptance of the change by all customers.
  
• Leads individuals within own section of Procurement to deliver the highest levels of performance and maintain both function and supplier relations.
  
• Provides clear leadership, direction, communication and development opportunities to enable the team to meets its objectives
  
• In conjunction with Global Procurement Group, identifies and leads improvement initiatives and project teams in support of longer-term business strategy. Develops and maintains Service Level Agreements
  
• Develops and cultivates technical expertise and knowledge within project team or broader Procurement function by disseminating best practices and sharing knowledge across functions and project teams.
  
• KPI’s include but not limited to savings, extended payment terms, vendor optimization, governance & compliance activities.
  
• Must be able to engage and manage Suppliers and Stakeholder relationships.
  
• Able to extrapolate required spend reports from SAP to support business requests e.g. BBBEE spend.
  
• Analyzing market trends and supplier landscape
  
• Providing insights and recommendations to senior management and suppliers
  
• Spotting and exploiting emerging trends and technologies.
  

If this sounds appealing, please read on to understand the experience and skills we’re looking for…

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Completed Bachelor’s degree in commerce – Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management
  
• Post Grad Degree Advantageous
  
• Degree plus 5 years’ experience in procurement including 4 of which must be in an operational environment within the pharmaceutical, Medical, Retail, and/or FMCG industry.
  
• 2 years of Project management, change management and people management skills
  
• Knowledge of PPPFA and BBBEE.
  
• Significant experience in a similar environment at a management level
  
• Sound understanding of Safety, Health and Environment
  
• Ensure team compliance with the code of ethics.
  
• Strong negotiation skills (contracts with suppliers)
  
• Technical expertise in at least one Procurement area, and competence in several others
  
• Demonstrating a keen awareness of strategic opportunities and effectively engaging others in innovative thinking to drive outcomes. Proficiency in influencing stakeholders across various functions (including Brand Management, Finance, Legal, Operations, and Procurement) to formulate and execute strategic plans and foster productive relationships, resulting in exceptional performance.
  
• Excellent Communication skills with a passion for Purchasing / Marketing & Finance
  
• Leadership Capability: knowledge transfer to junior team.
  
• Relationship Building and Maintenance - Exhibit proficiency in orchestrating high-level engagements with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and agencies, fostering collaboration across diverse functions, regions, and cultural contexts. Possess adept interpersonal skills to cultivate relationships and exert influence, particularly in navigating remote interactions. Dedicate substantial time and effort to managing supplier relationships, devising supplier relationship management strategies, and implementing joint business plans.
  
• Communication skills and ability to influence others.
  
• Comfort with risk and ambiguous situations
  

Why Astra Zeneca?

We are proud to have achieved Top Employer certification in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, as well as our Best Place To Work certification in Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and Senegal. It is the fourth year South Africa and Kenya have been awarded the Top Employer certification. Amongst the world's top 30 workplaces in 2023 This distinction is a confirmation of our commitment and ability to sustain people, partnerships, and employee engagement and foster an innovative workplace environment.
At Astra Zeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare. Join the fastest-growing pharmaceutical in our markets, set up to fuel further growth. Be part of our shared ambition and pride: our strong heritage, our turnaround story, and early investment and commitment in International markets. There’s no better place to feel inspired and energized.

SO, WHAT’S NEXT?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!
Click the link to apply no later than 11 September 2024 and we’ll be in touch as soon as we can.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

Our Social Media, Follow Astra Zeneca on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
Follow Astra Zeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Close Date: 11/09/2024