REQUIREMENTS

• The role will be based in Sandton.  However, the successful candidate will be required to work the first 3-6 months in Kariega to familiarize themselves with the business
• Affirmative Action South African citizen
• A recognised university Degree/ Diploma in one of the following disciplines: Engineering, Economy, with an inter-disciplinary background of politics, public affairs, and sustainability management as an advantage
• A minimum of 5 years experience in the automotive and/ or mining industry
• Working experience in automotive/ raw material associations in Africa

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Knowledge of the raw material market (main materials, producers, countries, regulations)
• Knowledge of ESG aspects of critical raw materials
• Knowledge in raw material regulation in Africa for the following materials: copper, plastics, aluminium, rear earth, magnesium, tungsten, Gallium, germanium, nickel, and graphite
• Ability to deal with different stakeholders within the raw material/ automotive industry as well as with development and education institutions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent presentation, and argumentation skills
• Planning and management skills
• Structured working style
• Computer literacy is essential (MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint)
• Self-motivated and driven
• Independent working style
• Strong teamwork skills
• Full availability to perform international business trips (within Africa)
• Multicultural competence
• Leadership and delegation
• Fluent in English
• Proficiency in German would be an added advantage

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish a bridge function (representative) for the group raw material purchasing onto the African raw material and automotive associations as well as for the group purchasing headquarters
• Additionally, a support function for public affairs in partnership or escalations subjects with local governments is part of this position’s scope
• Responsible for the management of the raw material regional office (personal, disciplinary and functional leadership)
• Participation in all local network associations for raw materials, raw material politics and raw material automotive policies within Africa as the regional representative for the group
• Construction of a centralized database that’s valid for the African countries considering local news, laws, regulations, and insiders as well as information regarding subvention programs with the scope of the mining and refining industry for the group's priority raw materials to support the group with alternative mining suppliers
• Identification of opportunities and risks via a risk analysis from regulations and initiatives and deriving suitable measures for the raw material steerer (legal entity buyer)
• Manage and report to the group on local and regional best practices such as purchasing strategies, alternative materials, local standards, and innovative recycling products to keep the central raw material data manager abreast with regional mining initiatives
• Interact with local governments for raw material initiatives (e.g. Africa MaVal) to be the regional “bridge function” between the government and the group's strategic raw material purchasing
• Network with local research (e.g. universities) and geological institutes (e.g. USGS) to identify new potential raw material sources and alternative technologies for the group's strategic raw material purchasing to consider in their development and sourcing process
• Network with raw material and automotive associations to gain access to relevant raw material information (system, newsletter, etc.) and report monthly to the group strategic raw material purchasing
• Manage and collaborate with the group research and development department to organize exchange meetings with research institutions and possible suppliers to promote regional raw material solutions
• Manage and facilitate the application of regional alternative materials and/ or standards with the group research and development department
• Prepare, organize and manage local tech days for potential raw material suppliers to introduce and present their company offerings
• Support the raw material steerer in setting up a supply safety strategy for raw materials (the connection between market and regulation aspects)
• Support for the group public affairs department regarding the organization of escalation meetings with local government representatives (e.g. the Ministry of Economy, and Ministry of Industry)