Senior Category Manager - Gauteng

Westfalia Fruit, situated in Tzaneen , has a permanent vacancy for a suitably qualified and experienced Senior Category Manager. Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce - 365 days a year & across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Africa Purpose of the role: Lead the development and execution of Westfalia Africa overarching category strategy across all "non fruit" procurement categories. This high-impact role is responsible for driving performance, standardizing best practices, and improving profitability through strategic sourcing, supplier development, and collaboration with commercial, technical, and operations teams across other regions including Europe, North & South America. Act as a regional procurement leader, influencing decision-making at executive level while playing a critical role in shaping the future of procurement for Westfalia Fruit. Duties and Responsibilities: European Procurement Strategy Leadership Lead Africa-wide category strategies in alignment with group objectives, category segmentation, and market analysis Guide the development of cross-functional sourcing strategies with measurable goals (e.g., cost savings, risk reduction, innovation) Create visibility of procurement performance across sites and consolidate regional supplier strategies Own at least one category of supply Governance, Policy & Continuous Improvement Drive and implement governance models to standardise processes across African teams Lead capability building and training initiatives for local category managers and stakeholders Promote continuous improvement by tracking performance and delivering post-implementation reviews of strategic initiatives Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence Act as a senior business partner to commercial, technical, supply chain, and quality teams across Africa Drive cross-functional alignment on category spend, supplier relationships, innovation initiatives, and compliance Present procurement strategies and results to the Africa leadership team, influencing long-term business planning Supplier Development & Risk Management Oversee regional supplier performance management, including SLAs, KPIs, and scorecards Identify and mitigate supply risks through multi-sourcing strategies, contractual safeguards, and market intelligence Promote supplier-led innovation and co-development opportunities with key partners Category & Cost Management Ensure cost control, budget alignment, and savings delivery across all categories Manage complex negotiations with regional suppliers to optimise terms and increase value creation Own and maintain category roadmaps, tracking strategic initiatives and ensuring value realization Oversee development of reporting tools and dashboards to measure category performance and procurement contribution to business goals Use spending analytics and forecasting to inform sourcing decisions and executive reporting Deliver insightful reporting to stakeholders Lead procurement input into the Africa business planning and financial reporting cycles Minimum Requirements: Education: Degree in the Supply Chain Management or other Business-related qualification is essential (e.g., CIPS, ISM, or equivalent) Post graduate degree will be an advantage Experience: At least 10-15-years' experience in FMCG, fresh produce, agribusiness, or food manufacturing Proven experience in strategic procurement or category management, preferably with pan-African or global exposure

Location: Midrand, ZA

Posted Date: 6/19/2025