Thabisile Gumede

A results-driven procurement professional with extensive experience in supply chain management and tendering processes. Skilled in developing and implementing effective procurement strategies that optimize costs, enhance supplier relationships, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Proven ability to conduct comprehensive market research, analyze supplier performance, and negotiate favorable terms to achieve organizational goals.

Adept at managing the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, including sourcing, contract management, and vendor selection. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Committed to driving operational efficiency and delivering value through strategic sourcing initiatives.

Passionate about fostering innovation and sustainability within the procurement function while maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability.

Procurement Officer - National Bargaining Council for Road Freight and Logistics

(2022-07)

• Assisting the Council with the procurement and purchasing of goods and services in adherence to the procurement policy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Supporting the Procurement Manager throughout the tendering process.
• Ensuring the supplier database remains current & compliant with SOP requirements.
• Aiding in store management for stationery, refreshments, and cleaning materials.
• Administering the purchasing monitoring system.
• Preparing monthly management reports for the GM Finance & senior management.
• Assisting in supplier negotiations to establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and manage contracts.
• Developing and maintaining professional relationships with internal and external customers and stakeholders.
• Ensuring effective communication and high service levels.
• Identifying and managing risks associated with the procurement function.
• Capturing rental agreements into the system.
• Managing and monitoring the issuance and usage of cell phones, 3G cards, and iPads for staff.
• Assisting users with cell phone upgrades and related inquiries.
• Educating users on the SAP Procurement System.
• Administering Short-Term Insurance on Council assets.
• Handling license renewals and monitoring traffic fines for Council vehicles.
• Negotiating price discounts and reducing lead times.
• Establishing achievable cost-saving initiatives while maintaining a savings register.
• Preparing and drafting award letters, SLAs, and contract amendments.
• Maintaining SLA templates and registers.
• Investigating variances between SLAs and monthly invoices.
• Enforcing terms & conditions while ensuring compliance with contractual obligations.
• Providing assistance to stakeholders with procurement-related queries.
• Maintaining open communication across departments for customer satisfaction.
• Identifying areas of risk exposure and designing mitigating controls.
• Implementing recommendations from audit findings to reduce overall risk exposure.
• Overseeing the management of cell phones, 3G cards, and iPads, including issuing devices and monitoring costs.
• Ensuring all insurance covers are valid and premiums are up to date.
• Launching claims as necessary and handling maintenance for company vehicles.
• Administering the supplier database by loading new suppliers & updating information.
• Blocking under-utilized suppliers to maintain a legitimate and reliable supplier base.
• Performing stock management tasks, including receiving, issuing, and replenishing supplies.
• Conducting stock counts to ensure an effective supply chain.
• Assisting in the tendering process by opening tenders and preparing documentation.
• Providing administrative support during bid committees.
• Creating daily purchase orders in the MM SAP system and sourcing competitive quotations.
• Supporting cost and budget control initiatives.
• Assisting in the preparation and management of procurement budgets.
• Monitoring supplier performance to ensure compliance with contracts and SLAs.
• Conducting market research to identify potential suppliers and industry trends.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to assess procurement needs and strategies.
• Reviewing and analyzing procurement data to inform decision-making.
• Ensuring timely delivery of goods and services to meet organizational requirements.
• Facilitating training sessions for staff on procurement policies and procedures.
• Assisting in developing procurement strategies to optimize cost-effectiveness.
• Maintaining accurate records of all procurement activities and transactions.
• Coordinating with external auditors during procurement-related audits.

Procurement Co-Ordinator - Daisy Communications Pty Ltd

(2018-07 - 2022-06)

• Receiving all requests from Sales Representatives and end-users.
• Requesting for RFQs / RFPs from our potential suppliers.
• Verifying quotations received and comparing them, according to a pricelist.
• Submitting the quotation to the Finance Manager for approval and signature.
• Creating purchase orders and expediting.
• Receiving the stock and verifying the stock received.
• Receiving invoices and making a follow up on outstanding invoices.
• Scanning and emailing invoices to the Financial Administrator.
• Responsible for invoicing, generating credit notes and GRNs for stock returned to the warehouse.
• Contacting customers within two hours of a confirmed order.
• Taking customers through the entire process starting from when their order is placed, creating a shipment, uploading proof of payment and tracking their deliveries once dispatched.
• Liaising with the Account Managers where necessary.
• Handling monthly reconciliations and journal reviews.
• Maintaining accurate records of all transactions and inventory movements in the system.
• Assisting in the evaluation and selection of suppliers based on quality, price, and delivery performance.
• Coordinating with the technical team to ensure timely and accurate deliveries to customers.
• Monitoring supplier performance and addressing any issues related to quality or delivery delays.
• Participating in regular meetings with the sales and finance teams to discuss procurement strategies and improvements.
• Monthly warehouse stock taking and handling general administration duties.

PCs Service Specialist / Procurement Specialist - Afrox Oxygen

(2012-07 - 2016-08)

• Processing documents and managing operations across three different storerooms.
• Liaising with vendors (suppliers) and overseeing the shipping of equipment (PCs/laptops).
• Attending to requests from end-users, preparing reports, and submitting them to the Regional Manager (RSM).
• Managing software contracts and ensuring transparency in purchased licenses.
• Measuring installations to be linked to the Spider system.
• Coordinating inventory management and stock replenishment to ensure adequate supplies.
• Conducting regular audits of equipment and software to maintain compliance with company policies.
• Providing training & support to end-users on new software & hardware installations.

IT Procurement Administrator - PPS for Professionals

(2016-09 - 2017-06)

• Optimising supply chain management, including obtaining quotes, issuing purchase orders and maintaining the procurement database up-to-date.
• Managing the filing of procurement orders and scanning of financial documents.
• Adhering to PPS Priority Matrix response times and resolution times.
• Executing comprehensive RFQ process and supporting functional users in a timely manner while minimizing the risk and maximizing the value.
• Uploading all financial documents on the documents management system.
• Ensuring accurate and timely capturing of purchase orders and financial management database.
• Ensuring the coordination, control and effective distribution of all documents and information.
• Stock management and responsible for the compilation of monthly reports.
• Tracking Key Performance Indicators and delivering reports as assigned.
• Assisting technicians to allocate stock for Installations.
• Managing relationships with all our suppliers, resolving supplier issues and optimizing supplier issues and performance.
• Notifying the Manager on inventory changes compared to budget levels.
• Validating, updating and maintaining purchasing centric item, sourcing, and supplier sourcing, and supplier records.
• Assisting in the preparation for supplier negotiations, maintaining records and files to assure information availability to other required personnel.
• Vendor management, project goals, vendor research and vendor selection.
• Checking and approving the payment of invoices for orders placed when required.
• Handling additional duties as assigned by the Manager.

Procurement officer (Commodity Buyer) - ROTRAN (Eskom)

(2009-09 - 2012-06)

• Utilizing the ability program to create purchase orders, request quotes, and evaluate received quotations.
• Sourcing suppliers and procuring goods and services, as well as advertising tenders.
• Ensuring that all deadlines are met in a timely manner and capturing invoices.
• Conducting pre-evaluation of bids and awarding RFQs based on established criteria.
• Managing the tender process, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that all contracts are documented in English, including proper closure in the system.
• Maintaining an organized supplier database to streamline procurement processes and ensure compliance.
• Collaborating with internal departments to understand their procurement needs and provide suitable solutions.

Procurement Officer: Disposal of Assets - EThekwini Municipality

(2005-09 - 2008-10)

• Preparation and drafting of specification for disposals by tender / quotation.
• Preparation of draft and final advertisements for approval and advertising.
• Preparing detailed tenders and quotation schedules.
• Preparing draft defaulters letters and forwarding to purchasing and Disposals Officer.
• Adjudicating quotations and forwarding for signatories.
• Standing in for supervisor on his absence.

Procurement Officer - Department of Health

(2002-03 - 2005-09)

• Invitation of tenders, compiling, advertising, adjudicating & awarding quotations for disposal of assets.
• Drafting of memorandum to management to cancel contracts, communicate with tenders and etc.
• Liaising with suppliers, consultants, project leaders & other departments.
• Researching of files and collecting of information for reports.
• Maintaining of database on a daily basis.
• Completing BAS / part payment forms to arrange payment to contractors.
• Conducting regular audits of procurement processes to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.

Enumerator - Department of Statistics South Africa

(2001-09 - 2001-12)

Diploma - Applied Logistics & Supply Chain Management - University of the Witwatersrand (2017 - 2017)

Certificate - Advanced Logistics & Supply Chain Management - University of the Witwatersrand (2024 - 2024)

Senior Certificate - Grade 12 - St Theresa School (1995 - 1995)