Exciting Opportunity: MTN Hiring a Strategic Sourcing Manager for Procurement Excellence

In today’s highly dynamic telecommunications landscape, effective procurement and sourcing strategies are crucial to ensure cost efficiency, operational effectiveness, and supplier compliance. The Strategic Sourcing Manager plays a pivotal role in managing indirect procurement and commercial categories, overseeing the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle—from strategy development and tender execution to contract negotiations and supplier relationship management.

This role involves working closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and category managers to ensure that business needs are met with the highest standards of quality and efficiency. By leveraging strategic sourcing methodologies, market insights, and procurement best practices, this position contributes directly to the company’s financial performance and competitive positioning.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial & Cost Management

• Develop and implement cost-saving strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Optimize budget utilization and financial resources to ensure cost-effective sourcing.
• Lead contract negotiations to maximize value creation and cost reduction.
• Monitor and review business processes to drive at least a 5% reduction in divisional budget annually.

2. Strategic Procurement & Sourcing Execution

• Oversee the execution of tender (RfX) processes, ensuring compliance with procurement policies.
• Identify key suppliers, market trends, and pricing strategies to optimize procurement efficiency.
• Ensure supplier selection is aligned with business needs, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate contract management, ensuring adherence to agreed terms and performance benchmarks.

3. Supplier & Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Manage relationships with internal business units and external suppliers to drive operational efficiency.
• Ensure supplier engagements align with business strategies, cost objectives, and service-level agreements (SLAs).
• Oversee supplier evaluation, performance tracking, and risk mitigation to ensure sustainable partnerships.
• Foster collaborative cross-functional teams to support the procurement lifecycle and improve negotiation outcomes.

4. Process Optimization & Compliance

• Drive continuous improvement in tender turnaround time and sourcing processes.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with industry regulations, MTN policies, and ESG standards.
• Implement B-BBEE, Preferential Procurement, and sustainability initiatives in sourcing strategies.
• Stay up to date with emerging trends in telecom procurement, supply chain innovations, and category management.

5. Leadership, Training & Development

• Coach and lead sourcing specialists, ensuring high performance and knowledge-sharing.
• Provide training and development opportunities to enhance procurement expertise.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and digital transformation in procurement operations.
• Support change management initiatives to improve cross-departmental collaboration and sourcing efficiency.

Qualifications & Experience Required

Educational Background:

✔ Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.
✔ Professional certifications such as CIPS Level 5, MCIPS, or SAPICS equivalent (preferred).
✔ Honors degree or postgraduate qualification (advantageous).

Professional Experience:

✔ 7-11 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management.
✔ Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in purchasing, category management, or vendor sourcing.
✔ Experience in managing indirect procurement categories, including commercial devices and telecom supply chains.
✔ Proficiency in SAP, ARIBA, or other ERP procurement systems.
✔ Strong negotiation and contract management skills with a focus on cost reduction and supplier compliance.

Core Competencies & Skills

Strategic & Analytical Thinking

✔ Ability to analyze market trends, supplier cost structures, and procurement data to drive cost-saving strategies.
✔ Strong financial acumen to manage budgets, vendor pricing, and cost optimization initiatives.

Supplier & Contract Management

✔ Expertise in developing sourcing frameworks, executing tenders, and negotiating supplier agreements.
✔ Ability to build and maintain strong supplier relationships while ensuring compliance and risk management.

Leadership & Team Collaboration

✔ Ability to manage, train, and mentor sourcing teams, fostering a high-performance work culture.
✔ Strong interpersonal and communication skills to engage with stakeholders and negotiate effectively.

Digital Procurement & Compliance Knowledge

✔ Familiarity with telecom procurement standards, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements.
✔ Understanding of B-BBEE, ESG, and preferential procurement frameworks in South Africa.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Achievement of cost-saving targets and budget optimization.
• Efficient execution of RfX and supplier selection processes.
• Compliance with procurement policies, ESG guidelines, and regulatory frameworks.
• Improved supplier performance and relationship management.
• Enhanced efficiency in sourcing and procurement operations.

Conclusion

The Strategic Sourcing Manager plays a vital role in optimizing procurement efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring supplier compliance. This position requires deep industry knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and a proactive approach to supplier management. With the rapid evolution of telecommunications and digital supply chains, this role provides an opportunity to drive business impact, enhance operational excellence, and contribute to financial growth.