Category Manager at Unitrans

Job Advert Summary    

• Category Manager: Energy (Fuel & Lubrication) is responsible for leading one of Unitrans’ most strategic and high-impact categories, overseeing the end-to-end sourcing, optimisation, and commercial management of fuel, lubricants, and related energy solutions across the Southern African region.
• The role encompasses the complete supplier and contract lifecycle, including security of supply, pricing and rebate structures, depot and on-road refuelling solutions, regulatory compliance, ESG considerations, and the integration and optimisation of fuel-related technologies and systems.
• This position drives the development and execution of category strategies that deliver measurable value, strengthen relationships with major oil suppliers, support operational performance, and align with Unitrans’ broader objectives for efficiency, cost leadership, sustainability, and long-term growth.
• The category is critical to enabling Unitrans’ fleet through reliable, cost-effective, and innovative energy supply solutions.

Minimum Requirements    

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in Procurement or Supply Chain management
• Proven track record of managing procurement categories.
• Experience in strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and contract negotiations at a senior level.
• Experience in managing complex, high risk projects and programs to improve performance and deliver service.
• Experience with digital procurement tools, e-sourcing, ERP systems, and analytics platforms.

Required Qualification:

• Relevant degree level or postgraduate business qualification.
• Chartered Institute for Procurement and Supply (Diploma in Purchasing and/or equivalent)
• Category management within procurement
• Strong understanding of procurement methodologies, contract law, and vendor management.

Skills

Technical skills:

• Analytical: Ability to analyse data and market trends to make informed decisions.
• Leveraging off ERP systems, analytical tools and procurement software.
• Financial skills: Intermediate and above numerical skills including a good understanding of finance and budget management
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation abilities to secure favourable terms, conditions and prices from suppliers.
• Communication: Effective communication skills to interact with a variety of stakeholders and suppliers. Good command of the agreed business language
• Project & Change Management: Capability to manage projects and change in dynamic environments.
• Problem-Solving: Skill in resolving issues related to procurement, logistics, and supplier relationships.
• Strategic Business Partner: Service oriented mindset aligning business objectives with Procurement strategies. Long-term planning.
• Business acumen: understand the organisations’ purpose, strategy and the external landscape, and how the processes and systems help to generate value across the organisation value chain.
• Risk management: the ability to proactively identify, assess, respond to and review controls to address risk factors across the value chain.

Behavioural skills:

• Leadership
• Detail-oriented
• Strategic thinker
• Adaptable
• Ethical
• Results-driven
• Innovative
• Persuasive
• Resilient
• Collaborative
• Strong communicator

Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Procurement and business transformation projects.
• Proven ability to work with, present to, and influence senior management.
• Ability to lead, inspire, and influence beyond reporting lines.
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and influential leadership capabilities.
• Team player and collaboration advocate.
• Excellent analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, including the ability to use data to drive improvements.
• Advanced knowledge of Procurement software and systems (e.g., P2P, e-auctions, contract management).
• In-depth knowledge of supply markets, trends, and best practices in Procurement.
• Strong knowledge of ESG, sustainability and ethical sourcing practices.

Duties & Responsibilities    

Category strategy:

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for assigned category or categories to achieve cost savings, quality improvements, and supply chain efficiencies.

Benefits tracking:

• Create and maintain a value benefits pipeline for each category and track benefits achieved.

Supplier management:

• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance.
• Monitor supplier performance, resolve issues, and implement continuous improvement initiatives to optimise procurement processes.

Cost management:

• Analyse costs, identify savings opportunities, and implement cost-effective procurement strategies.

Risk management:

• Assess and mitigate risks related to procurement activities, ensuring continuity of supply.

Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration:

• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand their requirements, provide procurement expertise, and ensure alignment with organisational goals.
• Actively work with divisional management and / or KAP senior category manager/s to support initiatives.

Change & transformation:

• Lead category-related initiatives, ensuring smooth adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working.
• Support the Head of Procurement with driving change and enablement.

Procurement expertise:

• Stay updated with industry trends, regulations, and best practices in procurement to recommend and implement innovative sourcing strategies.

[social_share_buttons]