Category Specialist

Role Overview

This position involves managing procurement activities through various methods such as Requests for Proposals or Qualifications, Invitations to Bid, competitive and non-competitive negotiations, and informal purchases within a designated category of goods or services. The role entails solving complex challenges related to supplier and contract oversight, procurement operations, data and expenditure analysis, benchmarking costs, and addressing diverse internal agency needs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collect and assess contract spending data.
• Conduct market research and compare benchmarks for procured goods or services.
• Create solicitation specifications informed by internal and external data.
• Maintain strong expertise in procurement policies, procedures, and execution strategies across multiple solicitation methods.
• Establish and nurture working relationships with agency procurement personnel, central procurement teams, and key suppliers to optimize contract management and sourcing results.
• Manage ongoing supplier and contract administration ensuring adherence to contractual terms and compliance.
• Resolve common procurement challenges including disputes, data analysis, and negotiation issues.
• Lead strategic supplier negotiations and support colleagues in similar endeavors.
• Develop analytical tools to forecast and report savings; oversee evaluation teams in award recommendation processes.
• Conduct routine performance reviews with supplier executives to discuss contract status, performance, and negotiate enhancements or price reductions.
• Represent the central procurement function at public and stakeholder events.
• Evaluate proposed pricing by benchmarking against historical costs, state contracts, and recognized industry indices.
• Monitor supplier market trends and industry developments to identify opportunities for cost savings and quality improvements.
• Support legal department by researching and providing recommendations for protest resolutions as required.

Key Attributes and Competencies

• Exemplifies the organisation's culture and adherence to its core principles.
• Approaches customer issues proactively with enthusiasm and energy.
• Applies business, customer, and consumer insights to generate innovative ideas.
• Executes tasks with discipline and urgency.
• Communicates clearly and provides directional guidance.
• Maintains focus amid changes and setbacks.
• Quickly learns and adapts to new processes and technologies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in procurement, supply chain management, marketing, engineering, or related discipline.
• Between 2 to 5 years of general business experience ideally in supply chain, procurement, marketing, engineering, or logistics roles.
• Consistent track record of good performance.

Additional Information

• Candidates must reside in Mauritius.
• Recruitment follows company policy including assessments and background checks.
• Management reserves the right to utilize additional relevant criteria for candidate shortlisting.