1. Job Title
Contract Manager (Tender Specialist)
2. Job Purpose
The Contract Manager/ Tender Specialist is responsible for leading end-to-end tender and contract management, ensuring compliant, transparent, and value-for-money procurement outcomes for member institutions.
The role also plays a key role in strengthening member participation and collaboration within the consortium model, by developing and expanding group purchasing contracts aligned to member needs. Business development in this role is therefore focused on increasing member engagement, participation, and utilisation of contracts, rather than product-based or sales-driven activities.
3. Key Focus Areas
- End-to-end tender management
- Contract and supplier performance management
- Member participation and collaborative procurement development
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
- Governance, compliance, and risk management
4. Key Responsibilities
4.1 Tender & Contract Management
- Manage the full tender lifecycle, including initiation, needs analysis, scope and specification development, compilation of tender documentation, publication, evaluation, adjudication, reporting, and award recommendations.
- Guide end-users at member institutions in developing clear, compliant, and fit-for-purpose specifications.
- Ensure all tender outcomes are transparent, auditable, and legally defensible.
- Manage contract awards, renewals, variations, and extensions.
- Monitor supplier performance, service delivery, and contractual compliance.
4.2 Member-Centric Business Development
- Drive increased member participation and collaboration in contracts and procurement initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to expand collective and group purchasing through engagement with member institutions.
- Translate member procurement needs into collaborative tender and contract solutions.
- Support the growth and utilisation of contract portfolio in line with sector and member demand.
- Contribute to strengthening value proposition through enhanced member uptake and engagement.
4.3 Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with member institutions, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
- Facilitate procurement forums, member engagements, briefing sessions, and evaluation processes.
- Represent at member platforms, advisory committees, and sector engagements.
4.4 Governance, Systems & Reporting
- Ensure all procurement activities comply with applicable legislation, including PPPFA, and policies and procedures.
- Drive standardisation and continuous improvement of procurement processes.
- Oversee and optimise the e-tender and catalogue systems.
- Track procurement performance, savings, and member participation metrics.
- Provide accurate and timeous reports to the CEO, Finance, and relevant member forums.
4.5 People Management
- Manage at least one support staff member.
- Provide operational support across the team when required.
5. Dimensions
5.1 Financial
- Create and record cost savings
- Ensure cost-effective operation of procurement systems.
- Report savings and financial impacts to the CEO and Financial Manager.
5.2 Non-Financial
- Manage allocated regions in coordination with Regional Management Committees.
- Support Member Advisory Committees and User Groups.
6. Major Challenges
- Managing complex tenders within a regulated procurement environment.
- Balancing multiple projects and tight deadlines.
- Engaging diverse stakeholders across the higher education sector.
- Managing a high workload and varying priorities.
- Frequent domestic travel to member institutions.
7. Education, Experience and Skills
7.1 Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Management, Law, Finance, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
7.2 Experience
- Minimum five (5) years’ experience in procurement and tender management.
- Proven experience in end-to-end tender management.
- Experience managing tenders in Construction, ICT, and/or Facilities environments will be an advantage.
- Candidates from legal, finance, or construction backgrounds with procurement experience are encouraged to apply.
- Experience working in public-sector or regulated procurement environments.
7.3 Key Skills & Competencies
Tender & Procurement Skills
- End-to-end tender and contract management expertise.
- Strong understanding of procurement legislation, governance, and compliance.
- Supplier evaluation, contract administration, and performance management.
- Risk management and audit readiness.
Member-Focused Business Development Skills
- Ability to increase member participation and collaboration within a shared-services procurement model.
- Understanding of group purchasing and collaborative procurement frameworks.
- Ability to translate member needs into scalable procurement solutions.
- Commercial awareness focused on value-for-money and collective benefit.
Stakeholder & Professional Skills
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capabilities.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail.
- Strong planning, organisational, and time management skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving ability.
Systems & Digital Skills
- Experience with e-tendering and e-procurement platforms.
- Advanced proficiency in Office 365.
Pay: R30 000,00 - R50 000,00 per month
Work Location: In person
