Lesaka Merchant is looking for a Senior Manager: National Procurement to join our Merchant Operations Division. This role is ideal for a highly experienced procurement professional who can lead national procurement operations, optimise supplier performance, drive cost efficiencies, and build a procurement function that supports a rapidly growing fintech business.
Job purpose
To deliver strategic, best-in-class national procurement solutions to the Merchant Operations Division, ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, supplier performance, and cost effectiveness through innovative procurement practices, standardised processes, and data-driven decision-making that support scalable growth and exceptional customer experiences.
Key Responsibility Areas
Procurement Strategy and Value Enablement Delivered
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Develop and implement a procurement strategy aligned to the Merchant Operations Division's product catalogue, customer experience objectives, operational requirements, and growth ambitions.
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Understand local and international supply markets and adjust procurement strategies to support evolving business and customer requirements.
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Develop procurement category strategies, supplier segmentation frameworks, and sourcing approaches that maximise value while managing risk.
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Drive enterprise supplier development initiatives and BBBEE participation while maintaining strong procurement governance.
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Embed data-driven decision-making, cost management, and performance measurement across procurement activities.
Managed Procurement and Receipt of Quality Assured Equipment, Goods, Services and Consumables
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Lead procurement activities across equipment, devices, products, consumables, services, and operational requirements.
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Ensure procurement activities are aligned with category management strategies and inventory requirements.
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Oversee quality assurance processes to ensure all procured goods and services meet required standards.
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Monitor inventory alignment with demand forecasts and operational requirements.
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Drive improvements in procurement turnaround times, service delivery, and operational responsiveness.
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Support automation and integration of procurement systems to improve efficiency and scalability.
Compliance and SLA Performance Enabled
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Ensure procurement operations support operational service levels and customer experience objectives.
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Maintain awareness of developments in technology, devices, equipment, and supplier markets to ensure procurement strategies remain relevant and competitive.
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Monitor supplier performance and proactively manage risks that may impact operational performance.
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Ensure compliance with procurement policies, legislative requirements, BBBEE frameworks, and governance standards.
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Drive proactive supplier risk management and business continuity planning.
Efficient Dispatch and Order Fulfilment Enabled
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Provide oversight to ensure the accuracy and completeness of dispatched orders.
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Monitor dispatch performance, turnaround times, inventory utilisation, and fulfilment effectiveness.
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Drive standardisation of dispatch processes and documentation.
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Ensure seamless alignment between procurement, warehousing, dispatch, and operational functions.
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Support continuous improvement initiatives to improve customer delivery experiences.
Process, Systems and Business Rules Optimisation
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Identify procurement processes, systems, and business rules that impact operational efficiency and customer experience.
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Design and implement process improvements that drive effectiveness, scalability, and cost optimisation.
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Develop and maintain procurement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
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Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement, inventory management, and supplier management processes.
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Support digital transformation and automation initiatives across procurement operations.
Stakeholder Management and Alignment
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Collaborate across business functions to understand product, equipment, stock, and operational procurement requirements.
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Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships that drive value and improve service delivery.
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Partner with Sales, Customer Care, Field Services, Warehousing, Fleet Management, Technology, and Supply Chain teams to align procurement activities to business needs.
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Participate in stakeholder engagements regarding service levels, supplier performance, and procurement priorities.
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Ensure effective communication, collaboration, and expectation management across stakeholders.
People Leadership, Capability and Team Performance Enabled
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Lead and develop a high-performing National Procurement team.
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Ensure appropriate organisational capability, workforce planning, and succession planning.
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Manage team performance, accountability, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives.
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Provide coaching, mentoring, and leadership to team members.
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Drive a customer-focused, values-driven, and performance-oriented culture.
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Support talent retention, employee engagement, and capability development initiatives.
Qualifications & Experience
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Matric is Mandatory.
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Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
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Minimum 8–12 years' experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Management, or Procurement Leadership roles.
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Experience within banking, fintech, financial services, technology, or similarly fast-paced environments.
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Strong understanding of procurement operations, supplier management, sourcing strategies, inventory management, and service delivery.
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Proven experience leading procurement teams and engaging effectively with senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
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Demonstrated ability to drive procurement transformation, operational efficiency, and commercial value creation.
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Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) certification is advantageous
Knowledge Requirements
Products
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Operational products and equipment
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Supplier and service delivery models
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Inventory and stock management principles
Systems
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Procurement and sourcing systems
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ERP platforms
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Inventory and warehouse management systems
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Supplier and contract management systems
Processes
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Strategic sourcing and procurement management
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Inventory and warehouse management
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Supplier relationship management
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Contract management
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Procurement governance and compliance
- ️ Compliance Requirements
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Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
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Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act
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Procurement and Supply Chain Regulations
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Supplier Governance Frameworks
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Internal Procurement Policies and Standards
Ready to lead a strategic procurement function, optimise supplier performance, and enable scalable growth through world-class procurement solutions at Lesaka Merchant?
Apply now or share this opportunity with a colleague who would be a great fit.
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