Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Leadership, Awards and Community Involvement
Timeline
Generic

Thabo Sydwell Matsimela

Head Procurement Categories
Randpark Ridge

Summary

I am a versatile, dynamic, result orientated, business and community leader with 25 years of Procurement Executive and Supply Chain experience gained in the FMCG, Retail, ICT and Banking industries (10 Senior Management and 4 years at Executive Level). I'm passionate about Procurement and Driving innovating solutions that maximise profits. Acquired skills include SAP ERP Source-2-Pay, Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Contracts Management, Customer Centricity, New Product Development, Strategic Supplier Management, Stakeholder Relations Management (SRM) and Human Capital Development with an emphasis for Continuous Improvement. My academic qualifications include a master’s degree in business leadership (MBL) through Unisa’s School of Business Leadership, an International Executive Development Programme (IEDP) certificate from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Logistics Management from University of Johannesburg (UJ) and a National Diploma in Purchasing Management from Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) where I majored in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. I believe that my extensive business leadership experience and passion for community involvement has equipped me with the required skills to lead any strategic function and team within any organization. Below is my detailed CV with relevant skills and experience. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Language

Work History

Head Category Procurement NAR – 4 Reports

Nedbank Limited
Sandton
07.2022 - Current
  • Leader of Nedbank Africa Regions’ procurement team that seeks to achieve OPEX & CAPEX budgets while delivering cost reduction and good supplier relationship management.
  • Achieve category strategies by ensuring direct costs reduction and process efficiencies through SAP Ariba, while ensuring good governance and good risk management.
  • Identify synergies and innovative ways to achieve the strategic objectives and economies of scale
  • Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) through demand management and optimizing existing spend.
  • Manage cross functional stakeholder relationships to deliver excellent service and supply chain efficiencies.
  • Build internal controls (budgets) to manage and report on all Procurement and Quality Control key performance areas.
  • Fulfil business requirements and benchmarking by directing and conducting requests for information, proposals, quotations, and auctions (RFx).
  • Member and contributor of the Group Procurement Committee and Supplier High Risk Committee.

Purchasing Manager – 9 Reports

SPAR North Rand D.C.
Clayville
05.2017 - 06.2022
  • Develop & implement procurement strategies to drive sales, maximize stock levels and achieve gross profit targets – ensuring good governance and processes are followed through.
  • Monitor the implementation of strategy to ensure adherence and compliance.
  • Build internal controls (budgets) to manage and report on all Procurement and Quality Control key performance areas.
  • Manage the service level agreements with the external suppliers and internal stakeholders.
  • Management of suppliers’ performance from a product, pricing, and trading terms aspect.
  • Extract cost saving opportunities by working closely with the internal stakeholders and suppliers.
  • Manage the BBBEE spend profile by working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
  • Analyze and report on procurement trends, opportunities, and risks.
  • Control department administration and expenses.
  • Attract, retain, and develop top talent for the Procurement team.

Senior Category Manager – 3 Reports

Pick n Pay Retailers
Bedfordview
04.2016 - 04.2017
  • Head of Category for a cross functional team that streamlines the supply & profitability of category products from manufacturer to customer in PNP.
  • Development and implementation of marketing support for FMCG brands in PNP.
  • Category sales, budgets, and market share growth strictly in line with performance strategies through advertising.
  • Manage supplier tenders/RFP/RFIs from the initial tender phase through to the final contract negotiations and signing – ensuring governance & processes are adhered to.
  • Developing sound and ethical business partnerships with FMCG suppliers and 3PL Distributors.
  • Conduct performance reviews with suppliers and agree action plans.
  • Source and help manage 3rd party logistics partners for our BEE supplier network in conjunction with PNP’s SMME’s supplier strategy.
  • Relations Management with stores representatives / sub committees to build sustainable business relationships and enhance the company’s image with franchisees.
  • Actively seeking opportunities to drive costs down and improve cash flow.
  • Ensuring constant adherence and compliance by suppliers to the company’s HACCP and security standards, any local by-laws and government legislation applicable to area of responsibility.
  • Construction of pricing strategies and ensuring efficient customer service communication.
  • Constructive and consistent communication with stakeholders (Retailers, Divisional Managers, Merchandise Sales Managers and Supply Chain Division).

Direct Spend Manager – 4 Reports

Danone Southern Africa
Bryanston
09.2015 - 03.2016
  • Head of Raw Materials & Packaging Sourcing Team comprising of two Senior Buyers, a Demand Planner, and a Junior Buyer.
  • Manage all Raws & Packaging spend budget strictly in line with performance strategies.
  • Manage all material costs with proper contracts with transparent cost models.
  • Drive compliance with negotiated agreements and other policies.
  • Manage outsourced production to co-packers and logistics, leading contract negotiations; ensure its implementation and performance follow up.
  • Lead the annual budgeting process (and revisions); take responsibility for monthly tracking of financial results.
  • Actively seeking for opportunities to drive costs down and improve cash flow.
  • Business Process Owner on all purchasing related policies & procedures.
  • Involved in NPD projects, supporting Marketing & Sales teams in the development of new products and coordinating implementation with third party co-packers.
  • Global benchmarking of categories to suit local content and our customers.
  • People management and team performance are driven to achieve goals.
  • Drives the existing productivity pipeline across SSD/SC/Industrial to achieve our yearly targets.
  • Monthly tracking of all negotiated savings to the company.

2 Positions (mentioned Below)

Pick n Pay Retailers
Bedfordview
05.2009 - 08.2015
  • Senior Category Manager (January 2013 - August 2015) - 3 reports
  • Head of Category for a cross functional team that streamlines the supply & profitability of category products from manufacturer to customer in PNP.
  • Manage category budgets strictly in line with performance strategies.
  • Manage supplier tenders/RFP/RFIs from the initial tender phase through to the final contract negotiations and signing – ensuring governance & processes are adhered to.
  • Developing sound and ethical business partnerships with FMCG suppliers and 3PL Distributors.
  • Manage Portfolio stock holdings, category strategy and profitability of products.
  • Conduct performance reviews with suppliers and agree action plans.
  • Source and help manage 3rd party logistics partners for our BEE supplier network in conjunction with PNP’s SMME’s supplier strategy.
  • Relations Management with stores representatives / sub committees in order to build sustainable business relationships and enhance the company’s image with franchisees.
  • Actively seeking opportunities to drive costs down and improve cash flow.
  • Ensuring constant adherence and compliance by suppliers to the company’s HACCP and security standards, any local by-laws and government legislation applicable to area of responsibility.
  • Construction of pricing strategies and ensuring efficient customer service communication.
  • Constructive and consistent communication with stakeholders (Retailers, Divisional Managers, Merchandise Sales Managers and Supply Chain Division).
  • Corporate Brands Buyer (May 2009 - December 2012) - 3 reports
  • House Brand Strategy Development - optimal management of commodities to ensure best prices, products and suppliers.
  • Manage and source raw materials, packaging and indirect spend.
  • Manage budgets strictly in line with performance strategies.
  • Manage PNP’s strategic plans and ensure that trading terms are in place with all suppliers.
  • Analysis and Evaluation - identifying the most value-adding products, prices and opportunities for the organization.
  • Actively manage all house branded products using best practice purchasing systems and processes
  • Purchasing Support – ensuring that stores have the correct database of products and prices and that all changes are communicated timeously.
  • Supplier Rationalization – maintaining an updated supplier base that adds quality to the business.
  • Initiate cost-effective projects aimed at reduction supplier costs.
  • Lead projects with Technologists and NPD team of Corporate Brands products.
  • Benchmark Corporate Brand products’ profitability within designated categories against manufacturers’ own brands.

Three Positions (mentioned Below)

The SPAR Group Ltd
Clayville
01.2002 - 04.2009
  • Inland Promotions Manager (November 2006 – April 2009) 3 reports
  • Negotiation of Advertising Spend and Promotional Grids with suppliers.
  • Develop & execute effective, efficient, innovative promotions.
  • Promotional planning and checking market trends and activity.
  • Deal negotiations with suppliers based on bulk buying.
  • Create and manage promotional order forms and updates.
  • Manage and give leadership for promotional POS, leaflets and TV pricing.
  • Manage Warehouse, Drop shipment and Retailers’ promotional gross profits.
  • Regular analysis of promotional trends of Spar and competitors for benchmarking purposes.
  • Set Promotions strategies, objectives, themes, calendar with fellow internal stakeholders in line with Spar’s store strategies and principles as agreed with the Guild Promotions Committee.
  • Timeous communication of promotional briefs to Spar and Advertising Agency.
  • Supervision of Promotions Controller & Promotions two Assistants.
  • Regional Perishables Category Buyer (April 2004 – October 2006) 2 reports
  • Negotiating pricing and ranging on products ex Warehouse and Drop shipment.
  • Replenishment Buying and Supplier Evaluation.
  • Negotiate and achieve budgeted Warehouse, Drop shipment and Retailers’ Gross Profits.
  • Manage Portfolio stock holdings and Service Levels.
  • Drive sales ex Warehouse and Drop shipment through Ad-hoc Deals and Special Promotions.
  • Strategic Sourcing of Suppliers.
  • Build Long-Term Relationships with suppliers & control listing of these suppliers.
  • Conducting Ad-hoc Surveys for benchmarking against competitors.
  • Assisting Purchasing Manager with Supplier Contract Management.
  • Supervision of Junior Buyer.
  • Category Junior Buyer (January 2002 – March 2004)
  • Manage inbound service levels.
  • Maintain listings for both warehouse & Drop shipment.
  • Maintain supplier deals, stock forecasts & effective stock management.
  • Process supplier orders and capture rep orders.
  • Assist in marketing functions such as the Trade Show, Members’ Meetings, etc.
  • Liaison between Supplier, Buyer, Warehouse, and the Retailer.
  • Maintain DC and Retailer Gross Profits.
  • Review reports and manage targets & objectives.

Procurement Specialist

IBM South Africa
Sandton
06.2000 - 12.2001
  • Local and International Replenishment Buying.
  • Supplier Performance Evaluation & Procurement Administration
  • Assisting Purchasing Manager with Strategic Sourcing of Suppliers and awarding of Tenders.
  • Inventory management – forecasting stock requirements in line with sales forecasts.
  • Responsible for receiving and the inventory of all parts and components.
  • Ensuring that all replenished parts reach their destinations with the assistance of secondary transport providers (DHL/ Cross Cape, etc.)
  • Supervision and co-ordination following: -
  • Transport Service Providers and Service Department Safety Stock.

Education

International Executive Development Programme Certificate - IEDP

Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
01.2018

Master’s in business leadership degree - MBL

Unisa School of Business Leadership
01.2018

B-Tech Logistics Degree - undefined

University of Johannesburg
01.2006

National Diploma - Purchasing Management

Technikon Witwatersrand
01.2000

National Matric Certificate - undefined

William Hills Secondary School
01.1997

Skills

Leadership, Stakeholder Management,

Teamwork and collaboration

Computer skills and

Customer service

Leadership, Awards and Community Involvement

Advisory Board Member – Sincpoint Supply Chain 2020 - 2021. Winner Best Retail Freshline Sales Division 2018 and 2021. Study Group Leader, MBL Class of 2018. CAF D-Licensed Soccer Coach, Current U11A Head Coach and Member of the Club’s Committee at Randburg Association Football Club (RAFC).

Timeline

Head Category Procurement NAR – 4 Reports

Nedbank Limited
07.2022 - Current

Purchasing Manager – 9 Reports

SPAR North Rand D.C.
05.2017 - 06.2022

Senior Category Manager – 3 Reports

Pick n Pay Retailers
04.2016 - 04.2017

Direct Spend Manager – 4 Reports

Danone Southern Africa
09.2015 - 03.2016

2 Positions (mentioned Below)

Pick n Pay Retailers
05.2009 - 08.2015

Three Positions (mentioned Below)

The SPAR Group Ltd
01.2002 - 04.2009

Procurement Specialist

IBM South Africa
06.2000 - 12.2001

Master’s in business leadership degree - MBL

Unisa School of Business Leadership

B-Tech Logistics Degree - undefined

University of Johannesburg

National Diploma - Purchasing Management

Technikon Witwatersrand

National Matric Certificate - undefined

William Hills Secondary School

International Executive Development Programme Certificate - IEDP

Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
Thabo Sydwell MatsimelaHead Procurement Categories