Key responsibilitiesSourcing and category strategyDevelop category strategies across a varied portfolio that may include FMCG, consumer electronics, automotive products and spare parts, machinery, hospitality supplies, chemicals and construction materials.Identify, qualify and develop manufacturers and strategic suppliers; lead major negotiations covering price, payment terms, capacity, service, exclusivity and risk allocation.Establish disciplined make-versus-buy, source-country and supplier-concentration decisions based on total landed cost and resilience.Lead private-label and product-development programmes from specification and supplier selection through testing, packaging and launch.Supply chain, logistics and tradeOversee container planning and consolidation, freight procurement, route selection and shipment execution across long and sometimes complex trade lanes.Ensure robust processes for letters of credit, import/export documentation, customs requirements, insurance and trade compliance.Improve demand visibility, inventory planning and replenishment while reducing stock-outs, excess inventory and slow-moving stock.Build contingency plans for supplier, port, geopolitical, currency and logistics disruption.Supplier quality and governanceImplement a consistent supplier onboarding, audit, quality-control and performance-management framework.Create transparent procurement policies, approval authorities, controls and management reporting appropriate to a diversified group.Set clear scorecards covering savings, landed cost, service, quality, lead time, working capital, compliance and supplier risk.Leadership and business partnershipLead, coach and develop category buyers, sourcing managers and supply-chain professionals across locations.Act as a trusted partner to group and country leadership, translating commercial plans into sourcing and supply-chain priorities.Influence independently operated businesses and diverse stakeholders through credibility, data and practical market understanding.What success will look likeA clearly segmented supplier base with stronger direct-factory relationships and reduced sourcing risk.Measurable improvement in total landed cost, gross-margin contribution and negotiated commercial terms.Better forecast-to-order discipline, inventory health and on-time/in-full performance across African markets.A scalable procurement operating model with clear category ownership, governance and decision rights.A strong leadership team and reliable data that enable faster, better-informed decisions.Knowledge and capabilitiesStrong command of international trade, freight, container economics, letters of credit, import documentation and landed-cost analysis.Commercial judgement across multiple product categories and the ability to distinguish price savings from sustainable total-value improvement.Strong analytical capability, with experience using procurement data, KPIs and systems to drive decisions and accountability.Confident executive communication and stakeholder-management skills across cultures, countries and business models.A pragmatic, hands-on style combined with the strategic range to design and scale a group-wide function.High integrity, resilience and comfort working in an entrepreneurial, fast-moving environment.