Buyer - Direct Materials

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 in East London seeks an experienced Buyer specializing in direct materials to manage procurement of raw materials, components, and supplies used in manufacturing, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and on-time delivery. This hybrid role balances collaborative office work with remote flexibility.

You will build strong supplier relationships, negotiate favorable contracts, and drive supply chain efficiency by monitoring performance, coordinating with production and quality teams,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in SCM, business admin, or related field.
• 3–5 years of direct materials buying experience in manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and contract-management skills.
• ERP proficiency and procurement software know-how.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and select suppliers for direct materials based on quality, cost, delivery, and reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers.
• Manage procurement lifecycle from requisition to receipt.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and quality teams.
• Analyze market trends for cost savings and supply chain optimization.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Supply chain knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Procurement software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled and experienced Buyer specializing in direct materials to join their dynamic team in East London . This role is essential for managing the procurement of raw materials, components, and supplies directly used in the manufacturing process, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery. You will be responsible for building strong supplier relationships, negotiating favorable contracts, and contributing to the efficiency of the supply chain. This hybrid position allows for a balance of collaborative office work and remote flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and select suppliers for direct materials based on quality, cost, delivery, and reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions with suppliers to achieve competitive advantages.
• Manage the entire procurement lifecycle for direct materials, from requisition to receipt.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and quality control teams to ensure material requirements are met.
• Analyze market trends and identify opportunities for cost savings and supply chain optimization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience as a buyer , with a specific focus on direct materials in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven negotiation and contract management skills.
• Strong understanding of supply chain principles and inventory management.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and procurement software.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Professional development programs and opportunities for advancement.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment within a leading manufacturing company.