Apparel And Textiles Buyer

Jobconnect; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

JobConnect is seeking a Procurement Officer / Buyer for Apparel & Textiles in Johannesburg to source clothing and fabric from China, ensure quality, and align ranges with South African corporate clients. You will audit suppliers, negotiate terms, and manage import logistics to ensure on-time delivery.

Role requires testing knowledge, familiarity with lab tests, and collaboration with sales to meet client briefs and branding needs. This is a full-time on-site position based in Gauteng.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in clothing or textile procurement.
• Hands-on knowledge of fabric quality and shrinkage testing.
• Experience importing from China and managing overseas suppliers.
• Understanding of SA market for corporate/promotional clothing.

Responsibilities

• Source and vet clothing and fabric suppliers in China, including factory audits or verification.
• Negotiate pricing, MOQs, lead times and payment terms.
• Check fabric specifications: composition, yarn and thread count, GSM, weave/knit, colourfastness.
• Arrange or review lab tests: shrinkage, pilling, seam strength, colour bleeding.
• Approve samples and pre-production samples before bulk orders.
• Coordinate pre-shipment inspections (AQL) and handle quality claims.
• Manage import logistics with freight forwarders and clearing agents: Incoterms, duties, documentation, delivery timelines.
• Track SA market trends in corporate clothing and advise on range planning.
• Work with sales and clothing division on client briefs, branding methods and costing.

Skills

Procurement

Negotiation

Sourcing

Communication

Attention to detail

Quality awareness

Education

Textiles/Fashion merchandising qualification

Tools

Import documentation

Job description

Role: Procurement Officer / Buyer, Apparel & Textiles

Division: Corporate and promotional clothing

Purpose

Source and import quality clothing and fabric (mainly from China) for promotional and corporate gifting orders. Make sure materials meet quality standards before they ship, and keep the range aligned with what South African corporate clients want.

Key responsibilities

• Source and vet clothing and fabric suppliers in China, including factory audits or verification
• Negotiate pricing, MOQs, lead times and payment terms
• Check fabric specifications: composition, yarn and thread count, GSM (fabric weight), weave or knit, and colourfastness
• Arrange or review lab tests, especially shrinkage (wash testing), plus pilling, seam strength and colour bleeding
• Approve samples and pre-production samples before bulk orders are placed
• Coordinate pre-shipment inspections (AQL) and handle quality claims or rejections
• Manage import logistics with freight forwarders and clearing agents: Incoterms, customs documentation, duties and delivery timelines
• Track South African market trends in corporate clothing (golf shirts, hoodies, workwear, caps, eco or sustainable fabrics) and advise on range planning
• Work with sales and the clothing division on client briefs, branding methods and costing

Requirements

• Proven experience in clothing or textile procurement
• Hands-on knowledge of fabric quality and shrinkage testing, and the ability to spot poor material
• Experience importing from China and managing overseas suppliers
• Understanding of the South African market for corporate and promotional clothing
• Knowledge of import processes and costing, including duties and landed cost
• Strong negotiation, communication and attention to detail
• Ideally a qualification in procurement, supply chain, textiles or fashion merchandising

Nice to have

• Knowledge of branding methods (embroidery, screen print, heat transfer) and how fabric choice affects them
• Familiarity with South African labelling and compliance requirements for clothing
• Experience with Chinese sourcing platforms and agents, and basic Mandarin or experience working with translators

Required Skills

• Purchasing: 2 to 3 years
• Textile And Apparel: 2 to 3 years

Candidate Requirements

Previous purchasing experience with textiles and apparel