Procurement Specialist: Hardware and Equipment

Job Purpose

• Lesaka Merchant is looking for a Procurement Specialist: Hardware and Equipment to intelligently procure fintech hardware and equipment through specialised procurement, technology, and vendor management expertise.
• This role is responsible for ensuring that hardware and equipment procurement supports operational requirements, infrastructure networking, lifecycle management, and security standards while remaining cost-effective, competitive, scalable, and compliant.
• The successful candidate will play a key role in mitigating procurement risks and ensuring the reliable delivery of hardware solutions that support merchant operations and business growth.

Key Responsibility Areas

Procurement Catalogue, Capacity Planning & Technician Delivery Schedules Enabled

• Develop a deep understanding of the Merchant Operations Division's procurement catalogue and supplier categories.
• Analyse capacity plans, technician deployment schedules, historical purchases, and business demand to create structured procurement plans.
• Align procurement activities to budgets, cash flow requirements, and operational needs.
• Promote BBBEE and enterprise development initiatives while effectively managing risk.
• Support strategic sourcing plans that ensure continuity of supply and operational readiness.

Strategic Sourcing, Negotiation & Cost Management

• Manage strategic sourcing activities for hardware and equipment categories.
• Define supplier evaluation criteria, considering quality, scalability, API integration, and performance requirements.
• Analyse procurement data to identify opportunities for consolidation and cost optimisation.
• Negotiate favourable commercial agreements and drive supplier performance improvements.
• Develop short and long-term procurement forecasts with Product, Sales, and Field Services teams.
• Support supplier onboarding and education on Lesaka procurement processes and governance requirements.
• Drive supplier segmentation and strategic supplier management initiatives.

Procurement & Cost Control Enabled

• Analyse spending patterns to identify maverick spend, cost-saving opportunities, and volume discount options.
• Negotiate favourable pricing structures and payment terms.
• Digitise and optimise procurement workflows, approvals, and purchase order generation.
• Implement automated approval processes aligned to procurement governance standards.
• Ensure vendor contracts comply with GDPR, PCI-DSS, and data security requirements.
• Maintain complete and audit-ready Procure-to-Pay records.
• Ensure procurement activities support merchant SLAs and customer experience objectives.
• Proactively monitor technology and supply market developments to support business continuity.

Compliance, Risk Mitigation & SLA Performance Enabled

• Assess vendor performance and obtain feedback regarding the quality and effectiveness of hardware and equipment.
• Monitor supplier ability to meet service levels and evolving business requirements.
• Identify and mitigate supplier, operational, and technology-related risks.
• Ensure all supplier engagements comply with Lesaka governance standards and regulatory requirements.
• Support resilience planning through effective supplier and contract management.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers and service providers.
• Collaborate with suppliers to drive innovation and competitive advantage.
• Influence supplier product development and identify opportunities for strategic partnerships.
• Manage supplier relationships at operational, management, and executive level.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure comprehensive understanding of supplier contracts and commercial implications.

Hardware & Equipment Procurement

• Manage procurement of fintech hardware, devices, equipment, and specialised operational machinery.
• Coordinate procurement activities to manage long lead times and ensure timely delivery.
• Support asset lifecycle management and depreciation processes.
• Provide procurement expertise relating to technical specifications, lifecycle management, asset management, and risk management.
• Ensure procured hardware meets business, security, compliance, and operational requirements.

Stakeholder Management & Alignment

• Collaborate across business functions to align procurement requirements with operational needs.
• Participate in supplier and stakeholder engagements relating to hardware and equipment SLAs.
• Drive supplier performance management and escalation processes.
• Support alignment between procurement strategy and business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with business units to enable effective procurement planning.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.

Minimum Experience

• 3–5 years' experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Relationship Management, or related commercial roles.
• Experience within banking, fintech, payments, or financial services environments.
• Strong understanding of procurement governance, supply chain management, and supplier performance management.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders at all organisational levels, including senior executives.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to contribute to strategic business initiatives.

Certifications (Advantageous)

• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Valid Driver's Licence

Knowledge Requirements

Products

• Hardware and equipment procurement
• Supplier and service delivery models
• Inventory and stock profiles

Systems

• Procurement and Sourcing Platforms
• ERP Systems
• Inventory & Warehouse Management Systems
• Supplier & Contract Management Systems

Processes

• Procurement and Strategic Sourcing
• Inventory Management
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Contract Lifecycle Management
• Procure-to-Pay Processes

Compliance Requirements

• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act
• Applicable Procurement, Supply Chain, and Governance Regulations

Work Conditions

• Office-based role.
• National travel may be required.
• Frequent engagement with suppliers, stakeholders, and operational teams.

Closing Date 01 September 2026