Thando Ngcobo

I am currently at Sasol South Africa Limited in Supply Chain - Category Management as Principal Specialist
which is a hybrid role for both Sourcing and Contracting.

I manage and source for a portfolio comprising: Public Affairs,
PS Consultants and Legal Services and it consists of over 98 commodities with a budget spent of over 990M.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the establishment and execution of sourcing events (RFI, RFQ, RFP, RFXs) for my commodity and ensuring that targeted savings are delivered, and supply risks are mitigated within predetermined timeframes and in the ambit of good corporate governance.
• In charge of configuring and executing (e-)sourcing events and ensuring a continuous supply of materials and services that meet the business operational needs.
  Assess and address complex technical risks in relation to projects across BU’s.
• Strategically managing a commodity portfolio to drive security of supply, risk mitigation and reduced cost base.
• Provide proactive visibility and continuous improvement of sourcing and contracts pipeline related to allocated portfolio.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships.
• Performing a SOX compliance test on all new agreements.
• Secured lucrative deals with clients by delivering persuasive presentations that effectively showcased product offerings'' value propositions.
• Streamlined internal workflows by automating manual tasks, leading to reduced errors and increased efficiency.
• Increased overall team productivity by implementing efficient project management strategies and streamlining communication processes.
• Managed large-scale projects from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to budget constraints and timeline requirements.
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge on market trends affecting raw material prices or availability thus proactively addressing potential impacts on operations.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop category strategies and align procurement activities with organizational objectives.
• Spearheaded cost reduction initiatives through targeted supplier rationalization efforts, consolidating the supply base to maximize buying power.
• Identified cost-saving opportunities through detailed spend analysis and market research, resulting in improved bottom-line performance.
• Championed a culture of collaboration by actively engaging internal stakeholders to understand their needs, ensuring alignment between procurement strategies and business objectives.
• Reduced purchasing costs for key materials by negotiating favorable contracts with suppliers, leveraging volume discounts and long-term agreements.
• Optimized inventory levels with demand forecasting and data-driven decision-making, minimizing stockouts and excess inventory costs.
• Enhanced procurement efficiency by streamlining sourcing processes and implementing strategic supplier management techniques.
• Implemented innovative procurement technologies such as e-auctions and advanced analytics tools for improved cost control and decision-making capabilities.
• Developed procurement policies and procedures that streamlined workflows while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
• Conducted regular supplier performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and driving continuous process enhancements.
• Supported new product development projects by identifying suitable suppliers, evaluating their capabilities, and obtaining samples for testing purposes.
• Provided training on procurement tools such as e-sourcing platforms as well as negotiation techniques to support team members in their professional growth.
• Implemented risk mitigation measures by conducting thorough supplier evaluations and maintaining contingency plans for critical supply chain disruptions.
• Led contract negotiations with vendors, achieving favorable terms that supported both cost reduction initiatives and quality requirements.
• Collaborated with finance, procurement and operations leaders on global sourcing projects.
• Developed sourcing strategies to improve procurement processes, supplier relationships and capability development to optimize supply chain.
• Drafting and reviewing contractual agreements between Sasol and suppliers of products or services.
• Coordinating and administering contracts with suppliers.
• Where suppliers are not meeting the required SLA’s, engage vendors to provide a remedial plan on how to rectify this.
• Providing contract management services to multiple BUs for a variety of commodities and continuous improvements in terms of cost effectiveness.
• Engage vendors that do not meet the minimum B-BBEE requirements to agree on a plan to improving their B-BBEE levels.
• Recommending vendors to take part in RFP and other sourcing processes.
• Ensure cross collaboration between internal and external stakeholders Commercial Agreements.
• Working with Business stakeholder to ensure 90% of spend with suppliers is under contract.
• Engaging with suppliers for contracts renewal prior to expiration.
• Reviewing existing contracts with suppliers and vendors to ensure on-going feasibility.
• Ensuring that existing contracts remain valid with respects to changes in Sasol’s internal and external environment.
• Communicate timely to all key stakeholders on new and amended contracts and other contractual matters.
• Working with Demand team on Financial Models – and review same with Supplier Performance Reporting.
• Meeting with vendors to see how we can reduce our overall costs and Total cost of ownership (TCO).

• Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
• Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
• Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
• Monitored progress against established goals, adjusting schedules and resources as needed to keep projects on track.
• Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
• Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive work environment throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepared detailed reports on project status for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
• Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team''s ability to deliver results.
• Provided detailed technical and operational direction in project challenges, consistently meeting deliverables according to deadlines.
• Effectively managed scope creep by establishing clear boundaries on requested changes while keeping projects aligned with original objectives and budgets.
• Mentored junior team members in project management best practices to enhance their skills and contribute to better overall performance.
• Negotiated and managed third-party contracts related to project deliverables.
• Fostered a culture of innovation and creativity within the project team, leading to improved problem-solving capabilities and enhanced outcomes.
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, securing quality materials at competitive prices for efficient use of resources.
• Coordinated material procurement and required services for projects within budget requirements.
• Delivered exceptional customer satisfaction by proactively addressing client concerns and meeting or exceeding expectations throughout the engagement process.
• Reduced project costs, negotiating contracts with suppliers and optimizing resource allocation.
• Promoted innovation within project teams, encouraging exploration of new tools and methodologies to enhance project outcomes.
• Improved client relationships, consistently meeting or exceeding project expectations and maintaining open lines of communication.
• Streamlined procurement process for project materials, reducing wait times and avoiding potential delays.
• Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
• Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress, and technical problems.
• Facilitated workshops to collect project requirements and user feedback.

• Enhanced communication between executives and team members by organizing meetings and creating detailed agendas for optimal productivity.
• Streamlined executive scheduling by managing calendars and coordinating appointments, improving time management efficiency.
• Showcased strong multitasking abilities while managing multiple competing priorities without compromising on the quality of work delivered or timeliness of completion.
• Played a key role in achieving organizational objectives by anticipating executive needs and proactively addressing potential challenges before they escalated into larger issues.
• Negotiated favorable contract terms with vendors or service providers to secure cost savings without compromising on the quality of goods or services procured.
• Safeguarded sensitive company information with strict adherence to confidentiality protocols and data protection measures in all tasks performed.
• Promoted a well-organized office environment by implementing filing systems and maintaining accurate records, ensuring easy access to information as needed.
• Provided exceptional customer service to internal and external clients by addressing inquiries promptly and professionally, fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Contributed to a collaborative work environment by acting as a liaison between executives and staff members on various issues or concerns that required resolution or attention from leadership figures.
• Boosted executive productivity through meticulous travel planning and itinerary creation for both domestic and international trips.
• Managed budgetary requirements for various departmental initiatives by monitoring expenses closely, reconciling financial discrepancies, and ensuring proper allocation of resources.
• Maintained a high level of professional discretion when interacting with clients, colleagues, or other external parties to uphold the positive reputation of the organization at all times.
• Optimized workflow processes by identifying areas for improvement and implementing creative solutions that increased overall efficiency.
• Improved decision-making processes for executives by conducting thorough research on industry trends, competitor analysis reports, or other relevant topics as requested before presenting findings concisely yet comprehensively in written format.
• Ensured the timely completion of projects by tracking progress, keeping stakeholders informed, and facilitating effective collaboration among team members.
• Increased operational efficiency with proactive administrative support, including document preparation, email management, and expense report processing.
• Supported executive decision-making processes by preparing detailed reports on various performance metrics, enabling data-driven analysis for more informed strategies moving forward.
• Supported the successful execution of high-profile events through precise logistical coordination, vendor management, and guest relations efforts.
• Facilitated seamless onboarding experiences for new hires by preparing training materials, coordinating orientation schedules, and providing ongoing support throughout their transition period.
• Assisted in the development and implementation of company policies, procedures, and guidelines by providing input during meetings and ensuring that documentation was updated accordingly.
• Sorted, opened, and routed incoming correspondence and deliveries to help senior leaders respond quickly to business and customer requirements.
• Handled incoming and outgoing mail.
• Maintained and optimized manager's calendar and scheduled appointments and meetings and addressed conflicts with adequate time for preparation, follow-up and planning.
• Scheduled meetings booked meeting rooms and prepared meeting agendas.
• Maintained supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level and ordering new supplies when inventory runs lows.
• Monitored and managed expenses with allotted budgets and reviewed and approved expense reports.
• Handled mail, packages, emails, document transmissions and other types of data with both manual and automated tracking strategies.
• Managed mail and both incoming and outgoing correspondence, mail, email and faxes.
• Handled logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning for board of directors, president and executive vice president.
• Screened personal and business calls and directed to appropriate party.
• Greeted arriving visitors, determined nature and purpose of visit and directed individuals to appropriate destinations.
• Organized logistics and materials for each meeting and took detailed notes for later dissemination to key stakeholders.
• Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
• Led staff and vendors in providing high level of service for owner and guests.

• Established long-term client relationships through consistent delivery of high-quality products and services.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by streamlining communication channels and improving response times.
• Developed innovative solutions to complex problems, resulting in improved organizational performance.
• Mentored junior staff members for accelerated career growth, developing future leaders within the organization.
• Interviewed, recruited and trained new onboarding candidates.
• Optimized operational efficiency by redesigning processes, systems, and workspaces for increased productivity.
• Identified trends and assessed opportunities to improve processes and execution.
• Assisted in employee appraisals, promotions and terminations based on performance reviews.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to develop actionable strategies that aligned with corporate goals and objectives.
• Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within budgetary constraints and deadlines.
• Located bottlenecks to streamline existing processes.
• Expanded market presence by identifying new business opportunities and forging strategic partnerships.
• Optimized supply chain operations, ensuring timely delivery of products while minimizing logistics costs.
• Drove significant growth in annual revenue by identifying and penetrating new market segments.
• Led cross-functional team to develop new product line, which was launched ahead of schedule and under budget.
• Implemented company-wide sustainability program, reducing environmental impact and achieving industry recognition.
• Enhanced online presence and e-commerce sales through overhaul of company website and digital marketing strategies.
• Elevated customer service standards by introducing new training programs for front-line staff.
• Achieved industry-leading customer satisfaction scores by revamping customer feedback and resolution process.
• Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
• Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
• Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
• Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
• Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
• Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
• Launched staff engagement, gender diversity and cultural programs in addition to robust reporting tool that increased operational quality.
• Fostered strong relationships with clients by providing exceptional customer service during interactions both in-person and via phone or email correspondence.
• Leveraged strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records, streamline office procedures, and create a more efficient work environment for team members.

• Safeguarded sensitive information with strict adherence to confidentiality protocols and data protection regulations.
• Improved office efficiency by maintaining an up-to-date inventory of supplies and proactively ordering necessary items as needed.
• Streamlined office processes by implementing efficient filing and organizational systems.
• Enhanced executive productivity through comprehensive calendar management and meeting coordination.
• Contributed to project success by providing administrative support to cross-functional teams as needed during key initiatives or campaigns.
• Supported budget management efforts by tracking expenditures, processing invoices, and reconciling financial statements.
• Enhanced overall office functionality by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of best practices in administrative support, staying current on relevant software updates, or attending professional development workshops.
• Assisted in the preparation of presentations or reports, ensuring accuracy and professionalism in all documents produced.
• Maintained a welcoming environment for visitors by greeting guests professionally, managing phone calls, and directing inquiries to appropriate personnel promptly.
• Increased team collaboration by organizing regular staff meetings and facilitating open communication channels.
• Facilitated the onboarding process for new employees, providing orientation materials and arranging training sessions.
• Managed high-level correspondence, ensuring timely responses and accurate information dissemination.
• Developed strong working relationships with external vendors or partners through consistent communication, negotiation skills, and exemplary customer service.
• Organized company events such as holiday parties or team-building exercises to foster a positive work culture within the organization.
• Coordinated travel arrangements for executives, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, and ground transportation logistics.
• Collaborated closely with human resources departments in recruitment efforts by scheduling interviews, collecting candidate information, or assisting with job posting creation.
• Optimized workflow efficiency by prioritizing tasks effectively based on urgency levels while remaining adaptable to shifting priorities.
• Supported departmental goals by providing reliable assistance to colleagues as needed, effectively demonstrating teamwork skills and a strong sense of responsibility.
• Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail when proofreading documents or reviewing contracts before distribution to ensure accuracy and compliance with organizational standards.
• Expedited decision-making processes with thorough research on relevant topics presented in concise briefings for senior leadership review.
• Maintained daily report documents, memos and invoices.
• Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
• Answered multi-line phone system and enthusiastically greeted callers.
• Scheduled appointments and conducted follow-up calls to clients.
• Entered data into system and updated customer contacts with information to keep records current.
• Provided clerical support to company employees by copying, faxing, and filing documents.
• Maintained electronic filing systems and categorized documents.
• Updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze, and report on performance and sales data.
• Completed forms, reports, logs, and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources.
• Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
• Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
• Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
• Managed paper and electronic filing systems by routing various documents, taking messages and managing incoming and outgoing mail.
• Established administrative work procedures to track staff's daily tasks.
• Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy.
• Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
• Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, recordkeeping, and data entry for increased efficiency.
• Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
• Identified and recommended changes to existing processes to improve accuracy, efficiency, and quality service.
• Liaised between clients and vendors and maintained effective lines of communication.
• Opened and properly distributed incoming mail to promote quicker response to client inquiries.
• Facilitated timely delivery of special projects to meet organizational and departmental objectives.
• Supported company leaders by managing budgets, scheduling appointments and organizing itinerary.