Category Lead

Aspen Pharma Group

2025/05/15   Port Elizabeth


Job Ref #: CL-P15/05/2025
Industry: Pharmaceutical And Medical/Healthcare
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Applications are invited for the above indicated vacancy that exists at the Procurement department in Gqeberha. The successful incumbent will report to the Team Leader. All applications are to be received on or before 22 May 2025. Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates in line with Aspen’s Transformation Agenda.
Job Description

Overview

  • Lead supplier development, supplier negotiations, RFQs, and CMO category strategy for major suppliers.
  • Identification of continuous improvement opportunities.

Responsibilities

Supplier management

  • Communicate and negotiate with suppliers
  • Monitor quality standards and identify performance failures
  • Conduct supplier audits and report on supplier performance
  • Manage supplier communications and documents and process flow, including RFIs, RFP, RFQ, and RFB’s
  • Resolve supplier issues; maintain working relationships with key suppliers
  • Set up new vendors and coordinate with legal to support new contracts; maintain/ update existing contracts
  • Identify new suppliers and products in the marketplace
  • Vet potential suppliers’ capabilities (delivery, quality, services)
  • Review insourcing and outsourcing opportunities
  • Negotiate with suppliers to carry stock for fast moving items
  • Assist in the drafting of specifications as required, and provide advice and guidance to customers on procurement processes
  • Review and approve price variances (Order vs Invoice Prices)
  • BBBEE and procurement administration

    Risk management

  • Maintain and report on adherence to internal and external compliance requirements
  • Actively reduce third-party risk exposure
  • Carry out risk management processes within CMO category

    Quality and qualifying products

  • Assist quality teams to obtain products needed to conduct finished product testing

  • Schedule product trials and coordinate samples.

    Reporting and record-keeping

  • Maintain repository of procurement-related knowledge
  • Maintain complete, compliant documentation of purchasing activities
  • Maintain standards and update SOPs for documentation and filing requirements

    Budgeting

  • Manage and optimise use of Category budget
  • Provide input into required changes in resources to enable achievement of objectives
  • Monitor, track and report on expenditure against budget

    Planning and coordination

  • Optimise processes, identify gaps in policies, procedures and legislation, and propose changes or improvements to management
  • Provide technical advice to internal stakeholders
Job Requirements

Background/experience

  • 6 years' relevant experience
  • Experience in a manufacturing procurement environment, and preferably with significant experience in a CMO environment
  • National Diploma in relevant field (Procurement, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Finance), or a related discipline

     

    Specific job skills

  • Computer literacy

     

    Competencies

  • Customer Awareness
  • Meeting Deadlines
  • Making Decisions
  • Planning and Organising
  • Interrogating Information