Indirect Procurement Category Manager

please apply here: https://grnh.se/214ac712teu

Title: Indirect Procurement Category Manager

Team: Procurement & Supply Chain

Reports to: Enterprise Procurement Category Director

Location: Mauritius

Who we are

Cobalt Ridge Ltd is a newly established support services Company that has been formed to better support and strengthen our long-standing Mauritian based business as well as other global finance operations across our Enterprise.

Role Overview

The Indirect Procurement Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies across a range of indirect spend categories within a complex and fast-paced business environment. The role requires a strong background in strategic sourcing, supplier management, stakeholder engagement, and cost optimization. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of category management principles and a proactive approach to driving value, mitigating risks, and ensuring operational excellence.

As Procurement Category Buyer typical responsibilities will include:

Category Strategy Development & Execution

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies for assigned indirect procurement categories, aligning with business objectives and operational needs.
• Conduct spend analysis, market research, and benchmarking to identify cost-saving opportunities and supplier innovations.
• Define and execute multi-year roadmaps for cost optimization, supplier collaboration, and risk mitigation.
• Continuously evaluate industry trends, supply market dynamics, and emerging technologies to drive category evolution.

2. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Negotiations

• Lead end-to-end sourcing processes, including RFPs/RFQs, supplier selection, and contract negotiations.
• Develop negotiation strategies that maximize value, ensure quality, and maintain service excellence.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define total cost of ownership (TCO) models, demand management approaches, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Establish and maintain supplier performance metrics, ensuring alignment with business expectations.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted advisor to internal business units, understanding their procurement needs and providing strategic guidance.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to drive category adoption and governance compliance.
• Lead cross-functional teams in decision-making processes to ensure procurement solutions align with corporate goals.
• Provide procurement training, guidance, and best practices to non-procurement stakeholders.

4. Contract Management & Compliance

• Partner with Legal and Risk teams to ensure that supplier contracts are structured to protect the organization and align with procurement policies.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, and ethical sourcing guidelines.
• Manage supplier agreements, ensuring contract execution, renewal, and risk mitigation.

5. Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships, ensuring consistent delivery of goods and services.
• Monitor supplier performance through KPIs, SLAs, and quarterly business reviews (QBRs).
• Lead supplier development initiatives, driving continuous improvement and innovation.
• Mitigate supplier risks by ensuring contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies.

6. Cost Savings, Value Creation & Process Improvement

• Identify and implement cost-reduction initiatives, working closely with finance and operational teams to achieve savings targets.
• Leverage data analytics to monitor category performance and drive strategic decision-making.
• Continuously improve procurement processes by adopting best-in-class sourcing methodologies and automation tools.

What makes a great candidate?

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience: 7+ years of procurement experience, with a strong focus on indirect categories in a complex, multinational environment.
• Industry Exposure: Experience working in fast-paced industries such as Technology, Retail, Manufacturing, FMCG, or Financial Services is highly desirable.
• Certifications (preferred but not required): CIPS, CPSM, or other relevant procurement certifications.
• Technical Proficiency:
• Strong command of ERP & e-Procurement systems (SAP, Ariba, Coupa, Oracle).
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and data analytics tools.
• Familiarity with contract management systems and supplier risk assessment tools.
• Category Management & Strategic Sourcing: Expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier negotiations. Strong understanding of cost structures, demand management, and value levers. Capable of executing complex procurement initiatives across multiple business units.
• Commercial Acumen & Negotiation: Analytical skills to assess supplier proposals and develop effective negotiation strategies. Experience managing multimillion-dollar contracts and strategic supplier agreements. Skilled in structuring win-win agreements focused on cost competitiveness and service excellence.
• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Skilled at engaging and influencing senior leaders, fostering strong cross-functional relationships. Capable of driving cultural change and procurement adoption within non-procurement teams.
• Risk Management & Compliance: In-depth understanding of supplier risk, business continuity, and regulatory requirements. Expertise in identifying and mitigating supply chain risks. Experience with ESG, sustainability, and ethical procurement practices.
• Leadership & Problem-Solving: Ability to lead and develop junior procurement professionals while fostering a high-performance culture. Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decisions. Self-motivated, results-oriented, and thrives in high-pressure environments.