Buyer

Permanent; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in Johannesburg is seeking a procurement professional to manage materials and supplier relationships effectively. The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of experience in purchasing, strong negotiation skills, and a relevant degree. This role focuses on ensuring compliance with procurement policies and achieving cost savings while working cross-functionally with internal teams and suppliers.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in purchasing, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Good commercial knowledge, negotiation skills, and cost analysis experience.
• Experience working closely with suppliers.
• Understanding of automotive processes and components.

Responsibilities

• Purchase materials and services while meeting cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Support purchasing and related departments; communicate supply issues impacting the business.
• Interface between suppliers and internal teams on purchasing and new projects.
• Monitor market trends, competitors, and suppliers to identify risks and opportunities.
• Analyze costs, review cost-reduction initiatives, and prepare reports.
• Negotiate contracts and terms to improve prices and business savings.
• Manage purchase orders and schedules.
• Build and maintain professional supplier relationships and communications.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and procedures.
• Conduct supplier research and performance evaluations; resolve issues on price, quality, delivery, or invoicing.
• Adhere to health, safety, and environmental policies.

Skills

Strong negotiation and purchasing expertise

Analytical skills for cost review and supplier evaluation

Effective communication and relationship management

Ability to identify and contribute to cost savings and process improvements

Knowledge of procurement best practices and compliance

Ability to work cross-functionally with suppliers and internal teams

Education

Relevant business, commercial, manufacturing, or engineering degree

CIPS qualification or working towards it

Tools

Advanced Excel skills

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Purchase materials and services while meeting cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Support purchasing and related departments; communicate supply issues impacting the business.
• Interface between suppliers and internal teams on purchasing and new projects.
• Monitor market trends, competitors, and suppliers to identify risks and opportunities.
• Analyze costs, review cost-reduction initiatives, and prepare reports.
• Negotiate contracts and terms to improve prices and business savings.
• Manage purchase orders and schedules.
• Build and maintain professional supplier relationships and communications.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and procedures.
• Conduct supplier research and performance evaluations; resolve issues on price, quality, delivery, or invoicing.
• Adhere to health, safety, and environmental policies.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant business, commercial, manufacturing, or engineering degree (e.g., B Tech).
• CIPS qualification or working towards it is advantageous.
• 3-5 years’ experience in purchasing, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Good commercial knowledge, negotiation skills, and cost analysis experience.
• Experience working closely with suppliers.
• Understanding of automotive processes and components
• Proficient with computers, including advanced Excel skills.

Skills Required

• Strong negotiation and purchasing expertise.
• Analytical skills for cost review and supplier evaluation.
• Effective communication and relationship management.
• Ability to identify and contribute to cost savings and process improvements.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices and compliance.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with suppliers and internal teams.