Group Supply Chain Manager

1. GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Group Supply Chain Manager is a strategic, senior leadership role designed to establish and lead a highly responsive supply chain, procurement, and estimation function within the Energy Drive Group. This position carries absolute accountability for managing the complete end-to-end material and equipment lifecycle—bridging the gap between pre-award commercial bidding, global OEM equipment sourcing, localized workshop manufacturing, and specialized international export logistics.

Operating in a project-based engineering environment, the incumbent drives supply chain cost-competitiveness and security of supply for complex, integrated eHouse products. This includes leading strategic partner programs with world-class electrical OEMs for critical components (MV/LV VFDs, MV Switchgear, Control Systems, HVAC, and Fire Suppression), ensuring zero material-related bottlenecks in the assembly workshop, and overseeing heavy transport, rigging, and marine shipping activities to successfully deliver oversized modular solutions to local and export markets.

1. CORE PORTFOLIO & KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

2.1 Sales Estimation Support & Engineering Liaison

Direct and support the engineering estimation function to secure commercial proposals and establish baseline budgets:

• Lead & Support Estimation Engineers: Manage and guide the Estimation Engineer(s) in translating complex technical specifications into competitive commercial pricing models.

• Tender & Inquiry Management: Serve as the primary intake point for external tender documents, Requests for Information (RFIs), and Requests for Quotations (RFQs) from clients and main contractors.

• Internal Collaboration: Review internal RFIs and engineering/design documentation to ensure complete alignment between proposed technical designs and supply chain capabilities.

• Proposal Preparation: Oversee the timely preparation and submission of comprehensive external pricing quotes and proposals for modular eHouse solutions.

• Baseline Budgeting: Establish and verify internal Level 0 (L0), Level 1 (L1), and Level 2 (L2) budgets for the Revenue Organization (Rev Org) to safeguard IRR% and set baseline project cost controls.

2.2 Strategic Supplier Management & OEM Partner Programs

Build and protect commercial relationships with world-class engineering vendors and technology partners:

• OEM Partner Program Custodianship: Act as the primary custodian of OEM partner programs, driving joint commercial benefit and technical support agreements with global vendors (specifically for MV/LV VFDs, Switchgear, and Controls).

• Global Supplier Vetting & Identification: Conduct systematic global sourcing to identify, evaluate, audit, and vet high-caliber manufacturers capable of delivering to EPC standards.

• Contract Facilitation & SLAs: Partner with the Legal department to facilitate, negotiate, and execute comprehensive Service Level Agreements (SLAs) containing robust performance, delivery, and pricing guarantees.

• Supplier Performance Management: Track and review major supplier performance metrics regularly, implementing corrective actions and optimizing supply lines to minimize equipment lead times.

2.3 Operational Procurement & Sourcing Execution

Direct day-to-day procurement operations to ensure uninterrupted workshop assembly and cost-efficiency:

• Lead & Support Buyers: Provide daily leadership, guidance, and escalation support to the Buyer(s), managing transactional workloads and purchasing targets.

• RFQ Processing: Enforce strict timelines for requesting quotations from approved vendors based on final engineering workpacks and BOMs.

• Proposal Adjudication: Execute rigorous commercial and technical proposal adjudication to select optimal supply sources based on total cost of ownership, quality, and delivery speed.

• Commercial Price Negotiation: Drive aggressive price and commercial terms negotiation with suppliers to maximize project profitability and improve payment terms.

• Purchase Order Governance: Oversee the validation of Purchase Order Requisitions (PORs) and ensure that approved Purchase Orders (POs) are accurately raised and transmitted to suppliers without delay.

2.4 Stores Management & Inventory Controls

Establish and maintain rigid inventory systems to safeguard company assets and streamline material flows:

• Consumable Store Controls: Establish comprehensive inventory control systems for workshop consumable goods, setting minimum/maximum reorder points and preventing project delays due to stockouts.

• Goods Receiving Systems: Implement and enforce rigid goods receiving systems, validating delivery notes against POs, checking physical quality, and documenting discrepancies immediately.

• Material Tracking & Issuance: Oversee structured material issuance and tracking within the workshop, ensuring all project-allocated materials are accurately costed to their specific jobs.

• Stores Safety & Cleanliness: Enforce absolute housekeeping and occupational health & safety (OHS) compliance within storage yards and warehouse spaces.

2.5 Specialized Logistics & International Shipping

Navigate the complexities of moving abnormal cargo across local borders and international oceans:

• Abnormal Load Logistics: Coordinate specialized road logistics for oversized eHouse structures, including securing heavy transport vehicles, arranging police escorts, and procuring necessary permits.

• Route Surveys & Risk Planning: Verify that route surveys are conducted to identify structural obstacles, overhead power lines, and bridge weight limits prior to dispatch.

• Specialized Heavy Rigging: Partner with approved rigging subcontractors to plan and execute safe crane lifts, placement, and final structural loading at workshops and client sites.

• International Marine Shipping: Manage international export shipping logistics, coordinating marine freight (breakbulk or charter vessels), port operations, and marine cargo insurance.

• Customs & Export Compliance: Manage customs clearance, import/export duties, and absolute adherence to Incoterms 2020 rules for diverse global destinations (e.g., Africa, Americas, Europe).

1. ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTING & TEAM STRUCTURE

This position reports directly to the VP of Group Operations, maintaining dual alignment with the group commercial and engineering functions. The role is tasked with standing up and scaling a high-performance supply chain department, initially composed of three direct reports:

• 1x Estimation Engineer: Responsible for technical material and equipment selection, external client RFI/RFQ responses, and preparing accurate internal project cost estimates (L0/L1/L2).

• 1x Buyer: Responsible for transactional purchasing, expediting long-lead items, workshop material sourcing, and localized procurement.

• 1x Store Man: Responsible for internal Project/ Sundries stores and goods receiving.

As project volumes increase, the Group Supply Chain Manager will be responsible for evaluating resource requirements and expanding the team.

1. SUCCESS PROFILE

4.1 Technical & Academic Knowledge

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Commerce, or Engineering discipline.

• Technical literacy regarding eHouse systems, electrical enclosures, MV/LV variable frequency drives (VFDs), MV switchgear, PLCs, industrial HVAC, and specialized fire suppression systems.

• Comprehensive knowledge of global supply chain logistics, including breakbulk marine shipping, specialized heavy rigging, route surveys, and abnormal road transport regulations.

• Proficiency with Incoterms 2020 rules, international trade laws, customs clearance, and import/export documentation.

• Advanced proficiency in utilizing enterprise ERP/MRP systems, cost-estimation software, and analytical pricing tools.

4.2 Required Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, or industrial logistics management within an EPC or systems integration environment.

• Proven experience supporting commercial sales functions by preparing structured Level 0 (L0) to Level 2 (L2) budgets and bidding on major international tenders.

• Demonstrated success in managing global OEM partner programs, negotiating high-value SLAs, and vetting international suppliers.

• Hands-on expertise coordinating complex logistics for high-value, oversized mechanical/electrical equipment, including heavy crane rigging and marine freight.

• Prior experience leading and coaching a multi-disciplinary supply chain team, specifically guiding estimation engineers and buyers.

4.3 Key Personal Attributes

• Elite negotiation and bargaining skills: Essential for complex commercial SLAs and multi-million Rand equipment acquisitions.

• Analytical and structural thinking: Required to establish systematic stores controls, inventory models, and bid adjudication frameworks.

• Resilience and high stress tolerance: Capable of managing multi-currency transactions, supply chain disruptions, tight shipping windows, and urgent project timelines.

• Strong interpersonal & collaborative leadership: Able to build strong bridges across technical, financial, legal, and operational counterparts.

Discovery Group Life benefit

Discovery Medical contribution

Gap Cover contribution

Cell Phone allowance

Bonus scheme