About Transnet

Transnet is a large South African state-owned freight transport and logistics company. It is a public company with the South African government as its sole shareholder, and is an integral part of the country’s freight logistics chain, delivering goods to South Africans and facilitating global trade. Africa’s largest freight rail operator, responsible for the rail transport of commodities like coal and iron ore, as well as general goods.

Position Purpose

• To provide commercial leadership in the commodity team that is responsible for the development and implementation of commodity strategies and other initiatives in delivering the procurement savings target. Overall the Commodity Specialist is responsible for ensuring the continuity and security of supply of the right quality of commodities and services at competitive prices and at minimal contractual risk. The incumbent in this role is required to:Conduct supplier commercial negotiationsRun the tender processEstablish supplier contractsMaintain and administer contracts pertaining to portfolio commoditiesDeveloping portfolio focussed supplier industry key economic indicators and cost models

Position Outputs

• Commodity Strategy Execution:Provide commercial leadership to the commodity team responsible for development and implementation of commodity strategies and cost reduction initiatives;Identify key economic trends on portfolio covered supplier industry;Develop portfolio focused key supplier cost models and update regularly;Provide commercial leadership to commodity team and cross functional value team during the strategy development process;Forecast consumption and usage as input to strategy development;Develop and maintain preferred vendor lists;Develop portfolio focused strategies and tactics for cost containment on strategic contracts implement portfolio specific commodity strategies;Measure portfolio TCO savings performance and supplier performance; andMonitor commodity strategy implementation from a commercial / contract point of view.
• Tendering Process Administration:Design and administer the tender processObtain adjudication power sign-offUndertake and commercial evaluation and adjudication of supplier bids and coordinates technical evaluationAgree suppler negotiation metrics with Commodity Manager and negotiates with successful tenderer in finalising all contract terms and conditions.
• Establish, manage and maintain portfolio strategic Contracts: Manage price and scope changes, amendments and queries Increase contract base by motivating for contract establishment Pro-actively advise the Business Unit on inventory holding levels for commodities subject to statutory and / or other contractual changes Manage and monitor supplier performance against the following criteria, including, Delivery, Product quality, SHE requirements , ISO standards , Responsiveness, Partnering capability, Consumption , Payment
• Commodity Performance Monitoring:Report on portfolio TCO and supplier performance as well as contract performance and efficiencies.Report on portfolio contract performance including: Contract spend and consumption, Contract price escalation performance vs relevant price indices, BEE spend, Report on portfolio contract administration efficiency in line with annually agreed end-user service level agreements (SLA’s), including New contract establishment lead times, Price evaluations, Amendments, Resolution of queries Page 3 Compliance to Policies, Procedures and Standards for Risk Management:Ensure Compliance to relevant legislation and ensure contract management support in terms of archiving, contract price adjustments and correspondence.Implement and monitor compliance on P2P controls framework.Monitor and control system access in terms of user profiles and purchase groups for P2PImplement and monitor Critical Financial controls
• Stakeholder Management:Support the Commodity ManagerBuild sound relationships with end-users, key suppliers and materials managersProvide feedback on performance of value team membersTake responsibility for self-development

Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree (technical, financial or commercial) is required, or CIPS Level 4A post-graduate business or finance degree or similar would be an added advantageAt least 5 years supply management experience in a large organisation. ORRelevant qualification (NQF 5)6 yrs relevant and solid experience with at least 2 yrs at managerial level or specialist experience.