Senior Software Procurement Specialist

at  Absa Bank Limited

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.
With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.
Job Summary
To develop a functional procurement operating model and framework in a broadly defined group functional strategy; enabling horizontal implementation and adoption.
Job Description

Job Purpose

• Senior Software Procurement Specialist is crucial in ensuring that the organization obtains the best value for software products and services.
• This job contributes uniquely to the organisation by utilising the specialist’s knowledge and experience in software procurement to develop and implement procurement strategies, negotiate contracts, establish relationships with software vendors, and provide advice to internal stakeholders on software procurement matters.
• Without this job, the organisation would struggle to obtain the best software products and services, potentially leading to suboptimal outcomes such as higher costs, poor vendor performance, and inefficient processes. The Senior Software Procurement Specialist is essential in identifying cost-saving opportunities, managing vendor relationships, and driving continuous improvement in quality, cost, and delivery.

Key accountabilities

Procurement Strategy:

• Procurement strategy for software products and services developed and implemented on a per deal basis
• Software procurement spend analysed and cost-saving opportunities identified.
• Knowledge of industry trends and best practices in software procurement applied to contribute to the development of company-wide procurement.

Integrated Software procurement:

• End-to-end management of software procurement process, from requirements gathering through to contract
• Software contracts negotiated on behalf of the organisation
• Drafting of complex software engagements, and management of the review and finalisation of contracts in collaboration with Commercial Legal and SMEs (eg Risk, Security, Data and managed for compliance with relevant laws and regulations along with internal positions and commercial preferences
• Maintain complete and up to date records on Coupa

Relationships

• Work cross-functionally with both internal and external stakeholders to establish and maintain working relations with Absa Group
• Develop relationships with key software vendors and support continuous improvement of vendor performance.

Valuable advice and subject matter expertise provided to internal stakeholders on software procurement matters including but not limited to:

• Ideal contracting structures including license model optimisation, implementation approaches to manage risk
• Procurement approaches for software
• Negotiation approaches and tactics for specific software suppliers based on past software procurement experience

Governance

• Procurement activities conducted in accordance with company policies and procedures, and required approvals obtained by supporting business owners.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology or related field.CIPS or related studies
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in procurement, with a focus on software products and services.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience negotiating software contracts with large vendors.
• End to end understanding of the technology stacks used within Enterprise organisations.
• Detailed and demonstratable
• Demonstrated ability to manage vendor relationships and drive continuous improvement in vendor performance.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations related to procurement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.

Education
Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)
Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.
Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertise

• Senior Software Procurement Specialist is crucial in ensuring that the organization obtains the best value for software products and services.
• This job contributes uniquely to the organisation by utilising the specialist’s knowledge and experience in software procurement to develop and implement procurement strategies, negotiate contracts, establish relationships with software vendors, and provide advice to internal stakeholders on software procurement matters.
• Without this job, the organisation would struggle to obtain the best software products and services, potentially leading to suboptimal outcomes such as higher costs, poor vendor performance, and inefficient processes. The Senior Software Procurement Specialist is essential in identifying cost-saving opportunities, managing vendor relationships, and driving continuous improvement in quality, cost, and delivery