Strategic Sourcing Manager

## Join our Team About this opportunity: Ericsson is seeking a dynamic and experienced NMS (Network & Managed Services) Strategic Sourcing Manager (SSM) to drive profitable business for the CU West and Southern Africa (WSA) through proactive supplier and partner development aligned with customer, stakeholder, and business needs. The SSM will qualify and negotiate supplier/partner agreements for all NMS external purchases, manage supplier relationships, actively drive business contributions, monitor performance, and mitigate commercial risks. What you will do: • Drive profitable business for Ericsson through proactive supplier & partner business development based on customer, stakeholder & business needs. • Source suppliers, services, solutions, and products for procurement (e.g., site services for network roll-out and telecom maintenance) • Lead, prepare, and execute RFx and bidding processes to drive cost competitiveness • Evaluate, select, and onboard suppliers based on business requirements • Conduct commercial negotiations and finalize supplier agreements • Manage supplier contracts and supplier relationships (SRM), and drive supplier performance & continuous improvement • Optimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in alignment with global objectives • Ensure full compliance with internal controls, local regulations, and ethical standards • Strengthen stakeholder and supplier partnerships; collaborate with stakeholders on purchase to pay and sourcing processes • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Legal, Compliance, Finance, Risk, project and managed service domains) to ensure timely, compliant, and value-driven sourcing outcomes. • Lead critical sourcing initiatives and contribute to long-term sourcing strategies and business objectives • Support internal operational excellence and process improvements. The skills you bring Must Have: • Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) preferred. • Minimum 5 – 7 years of proven experience in strategic sourcing and procurement. • Strong commercial & contract management skills • Data-driven with strong analytical skills and AI proficiency (forecasting, reporting, modelling). • Proactive, resilient, solution- and result-oriented with the ability to operate in ambiguity. • Negotiation skills, supplier management and financial acumen. • Process Improvement with a risk and compliance mindset. • English fluency required; French and Portuguese language skills are an asset. • Ability to influence and work collaboratively in cross-functional and multicultural environments Nice to Have: • Internal sourcing processes knowledge • Category-specific technical knowledge • Skills in using IT ordering tools such as Ariba, SAP, Oracle, etc. Ericsson South Africa recruits in line with its Employment Equity plan and will therefore give preference to suitably qualified candidates who are members of designated groups. Would you like to take a tour to “Life at Ericsson MEA”, visit short video Click Here Why join Ericsson? At Ericsson, you´ll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of what´s possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world’s toughest problems. You´ll be challenged, but you won’t be alone. You´ll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next. What happens once you apply? Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like. Encouraging a diverse and inclusive organization is core to our values at Ericsson, that's why we champion it in everything we do. We truly believe that by collaborating with people with different experiences we drive innovation, which is essential for our future growth. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and realize their full potential as part of our Ericsson team. Ericsson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. learn more. Primary country and city: South Africa (ZA) || Woodmead Req ID: 785039