Superintendent, Contracts

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Job description:

Context:

KMP Commercial’s primary purpose is to deliver value by providing safe, efficient and effective procurement and in-bound supply chain services in support of the Kansanshi Mining operations which include mining, processing and smelting.  Value is achieved through the establishment or improvement of competitive supply markets for the purchase of goods and services. Value is enabled by highly capable people applying uniform best practice processes resulting in continuous supply chain improvement, enhanced corporate social responsibility and measurable savings for the Kansanshi Mine.

These objectives are achieved through a centralized KMP Commercial team who work with the Kansanshi operations to deliver value through optimised commercial terms, pricing and supply security as well as through development and implementation of supplier strategic initiatives through a few deep relationships. The Kansanshi Commercial team is on a journey of transformation and capability uplift and as part of that, a new category management approach to external expenditure is being introduced, to drive additional value and risk mitigation for the Kansanshi Operations.

Primary Purpose

The primary responsibility of the Commercial Contracts Superintendent is to work with the Kansanshi Operations stakeholders to develop a whole of business category strategy for the spend portfolio under management. The Commercial Contracts Superintendent will be managing both relationships with key Operational sponsors as well as with the senior executives at our supply partners. The Commercial Contracts Superintendent will be required to put in place plans and solutions to resolve complex supply problems within the portfolio. Will champion innovation, continuous improvement and procurement expertise. Will lead and deliver on the end-to-end sourcing process, which includes carrying out spend analysis, understanding business risks, managing tenders, negotiating with vendors, drafting supply agreements and driving improved supplier performance.

Key Performance Indicators

The role is measured against these generic KPI’s. Specific targets will be set as part of the annual setting of performance objectives.

Improving team capability – coaching, training, maintaining a high standard. Maintaining strategic and critical suppliers under contract – contract coverage, expired contracts Delivering effective, quality supplier contracts – contract drafting and enforceability of clauses, in a timely manner Building strong/influential relationships with key HOD’s – providing sound commercial advice Initiating and delivering contract process improvements – to drive efficiency and effectiveness gains. Demonstrating control over contracting process – correct measures in place to identify issues and risks in delivery.

Key Accountabilities

Safety:

Maintain the highest standard of health and safety performance by implementing a personal safety plan, exhibiting behaviours consistent with zero tolerance, leading by example with colleagues, team members and suppliers and acting in accordance with Kansanshi Health and Safety policies.

Leadership:

Building ever-increasing capability within the Contracts Team.

• Influencing and ensuring alignment with Commercial strategic objectives.
• Providing vision and setting targets that contribute to achieving Commercial and business objectives.
• Identifying opportunities for team development and driving initiatives to increase capability.
• Measuring the performance of the Contracts team – maintaining the performance dashboard.
• Escalating issues that require support from senior leadership.
• Working closely with commercial staff, ensuring project proposals do not prejudice later negotiation stages relating to price or other contractual matters

Procurement Strategy Development and Application:

• Collaborate with key stakeholders and develop a whole-of-business category strategy for the spend portfolio
• Understand long-term Operational requirements
• Conduct market research and analysis on the spend category, and identify supply market risks
• Conduct risk modeling and analysis on and develop mitigation actions
• Implement and execute supply chain and performance improvement initiatives
• Ensure documentation control of work instructions, forms, procedures, templates, etc.
• Drive systems & process automation in the Commercial Department, especially the use and adoption of Power BI reports, and an automated Service Request platform that tracks duration at every stage of SRs being processed through to completion. The system must identify the workload of Contracts Officers and highlight SRs that are not being completed within the set times

Supplier evaluation, Selection & Relationship Management:

• Identify and develop alternative sourcing opportunities
• Conduct supplier analysis and recommendations
• Build knowledge on supply and demand by the Operational department
• Play a lead role in measuring supplier performance and delivering improved outcomes
• Supplier data maintenance, data analysis, review and evaluation

Sourcing, Negotiation and Execution:

• Negotiating, drafting and recommending agreements with external customers, including price, balancing commercial interests with acceptable commercial and legal risks to the company
• Analyze and recommend desired contractual terms based on operational requirements
• Leading supplier negotiations, attending meetings, providing information to/from suppliers
• Lead negotiations with strategic partners / potential new vendors
• Re-evaluate and optimize existing supply agreements
• Managing the tender process
• Utilising existing contract templates to draft contracts suitable for the spend portfolio
• Contract management, implementation and execution
• Preparing and keeping under review standard contracts and associated legal documents for all aspects of research and enterprise activity, including commercialization

Service Delivery:

• Monitoring contracts' status and expiry dates and ensuring their renewal/ replacement in a timely manner.
• Operational and supplier relationship management
• Supplier and customer issue resolution
• Facilitate operational forecasting and planning
• Analyse operational requirements (support the development of Scopes of Work), including technical specifications and risks
• Project management and implementation
• Providing technical support where and when required
• Providing training where needed
• Conducting reporting and performance analysis

General:

• Alignment of the Contractsl function within the broader Kansanhi context
• Provision of support, guidance and advice to the management team
• Undertake other projects and tasks as allocated by your manager

Problem Solving

Typical problems may include:

• Gaining support from key stakeholders
• Access and accuracy of operational forecasts and historical data
• Work through complex supply and project issues in a timely manner that doesn’t affect the achievement of key milestones
• Conflict resolution with Operations and Supplier
• Understanding Operational business goals and developing a trusted relationship with key stakeholders
• Influencing supply markets, assessing supplier performance and management of suppliers to keep aligned with the Kansanshi strategy

Key relationships

• Senior Operational representatives – Superintendent / Manager / Heads of Departments
• Senior Commercial Team members
• Commercial peers and juniors  
• Legal Counsel – Lusaka
• Critical/Strategic supplier representatives

Leadership Competencies

Key Behaviours

1. Fostering Teamwork and Collaboration

Recognise and use the skills of peers, encourage trust and open transparent communication and openly engage in difficult or “courageous” conversations with other team members/peers.

2. Leading and Development  People

Share information with peers and get their views when making decisions and proactively discuss difficult issues or concerns with peers to find constructive solutions.

3. Maximising Strategic Effectiveness

Build own knowledge and understanding of the operational and business strategy and effectively identify and manage key stakeholder relationships in your business/function.

4. Change and Innovation

Help peers understand the drivers for change, lead and support change implementation efforts, show initiative by trying different methods of work and by changing methods that do not work.

5. Operational Excellence

Set clear priorities and follow through on project plans

Identify tas or procedures that could be improved and encourage peers to do the same.

6. Sustainable Developmentks

Consider the future impact of today’s decisions on peers, customers and the community, get input from key stakeholders when making decisions and solving problems and create solutions that maintain balance with regards to people, the planet and profit.

7. Leading Self

Taking responsibility and accountability for own behaviour, performance and development.

• Operational delivery - Taking actions that maximise Kansanshi’s performance and shareholder value
• Managing External Relations - Anticipating, understanding and managing external views of the organisation in a way that strengthens corporate image and competitive advantage
• Driving Change - Implementing change with determination and emotional commitment
• Living the Values - Dealing with colleagues, external stakeholders and employees at all levels in a straightforward, direct yet sensitive manner
• Business Focused Collaboration - Leveraging the skills of the broader organisation for competitive advantage through a willingness to share ideas actively and persuasively, whilst learning from others

Functional Competencies Required:

• Communication and engagement abilities
• Comprehensive understanding of identifying cost down opportunities of the markets in which they play
• Commercial expertise to extract best value from suppliers and markets
• Understanding of conducting sourcing programs
• Ability to develop and present high-quality business case documentation with recommendations
• Negotiations and contract drafting

Internal / External Impacts

The incumbent in this role is required to liaise with Operational stakeholders and suppliers regularly on both strategic and tactical improvements to the performance of the spend portfolio. Due to the nature and size of Kansanshi, decisions made in this portfolio have the potential to shape local regions. The incumbent of this role needs to ensure that the stakeholders have the required information to make informed decisions.  

Education & Qualifications

College/University Education:

• Bachelor's Degree required in a commercial, engineering, commerce or law discipline.

Other Qualifications:

Licenses/Certifications:

• Member of a statutory body

Language:

• Excellent written and spoken English essential.

Technical Skills

The incumbent must have:

• Effective use of Microsoft tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Highly effective written and oral communication skills
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation expertise
• Effective time management and personal organisational skills
• Strong problem-solving, strategic and analytical capability.
• Ability to formulate and present compelling strategies and business cases
• Ability to achieve outcomes through influence and collaboration with others
• Change management
• Facilitation and/or training skills
• Contract drafting

Personal/Interpersonal:

• Relationship building
• Consulting skills
• Ability to work with people at all levels of the organisation
• Conflict resolution
• Logical and structured decision making
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Adaptability
• High quality problem solving ability
• Ability to work in virtual teams

Relevant experience

Successful track record in:

• Resource Sector, or other asset-intensive industry experience
• A minimum of 7 years supervising/managing a commercial/contracts team
• End-to-end category management with proven value delivery
• Demonstrated ability to influence across a diverse stakeholder base
• Strong understanding of procurement fundamentals, successfully delivering large complex projects 
• Market knowledge, knowledge management, including processes, tools, management and evaluation
• Risk management, including risk analyses
• Tactical and strategic negotiation
• Vendor and contract drafting/management
• Operating in an international context, including participation in global teams and working with people and organisations in different regions/virtual teams

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