Buyer

Communicate Finance; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Communicate Finance in South Africa seeks a Buyer with 3 years of experience in building materials or related sectors. You will manage stock levels, plan seasonal needs, and create purchase orders in the ERP system, while negotiating favourable terms with suppliers and chasing discounts.

Your role requires strong Excel skills, solid supplier management, and a commercial focus on profitability and stock optimisation across hardware, timber, plumbing, and related products.

Qualifications

• 3 years buying experience in building materials or related sectors.
• Strong ERP experience with preference for IQ Retail.
• Advanced Excel and analytical abilities are essential.
• Excellent negotiation, planning and supplier management skills.
• Strong commercial acumen focused on profitability and stock optimisation.
• Knowledge of hardware, timber, plumbing and building materials is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Monitor stock levels and replenishment requirements daily.
• Ensure top-selling products remain consistently available.
• Plan seasonal, promotional, and project-related stock needs.
• Create and manage purchase orders through the ERP system.
• Build strong supplier relationships and negotiate pricing and terms.
• Source quotations for non-standard and high-value purchases.
• Follow up on outstanding orders and resolve supply issues.
• Identify and maximise discounts, rebates, and promos.
• Recommend clearance strategies, returns, or stock transfers.
• Resolve supplier discrepancies, shortages and pricing issues.
• Support stock takes and variance investigations.

Skills

Buying experience

ERP experience

Excel & analytics

Negotiation & supplier mgmt

Commercial acumen

Product knowledge: hardware/building

Education

B.Com Accounting

Tools

IQ Retail ERP

Job description

Job Description:

• Monitoring stock levels and replenishment requirements daily
• Ensuring top-selling products remain consistently available
• Planning seasonal, promotional, and project-related stock requirements
• Creating and managing purchase orders through the ERP system
• Building strong relationships with suppliers and negotiate favourable pricing and terms
• Sourcing and comparing quotations for non-standard and high-value purchases
• Following up on outstanding purchase orders and resolving supply issues
• Identifying and maximising discounts, rebates, and promotional opportunities
• Recommending clearance strategies, returns, or stock transfers
• Resolving supplier discrepancies, shortages, and pricing issues
• Supporting stock takes and variance investigations

Skills & Experience:

• 3 years' buying experience within (building materials, hardware retail, construction products or Wholesale distribution)
• Strong ERP experience (IQ Retail advantageous)
• Advanced Excel and analytical abilities
• Excellent negotiation, planning, and supplier management skills
• Strong commercial acumen with a focus on profitability and stock optimisation
• Product knowledge across hardware, timber, plumbing, and building materials will be highly beneficial

Qualification:

• B.Com Accounting (or similar)