BUYER/PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Company information:
Our client is a dynamic company specializing in the import, export, and distribution of high-quality seafood products to various countries worldwide.

Job purpose:
They are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Seafood Buyer to join their team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for sourcing seafood at the required quality, negotiating favourable terms, maintaining strong supplier relationships, and ensuring accurate reporting. This role requires a deep understanding of the seafood market including the relevant players in the market, strong networking capability, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to manage supplier relations effectively.

Key responsibilities:

1. Sourcing of Goods:
   Identify and evaluate potential new seafood suppliers, and maintain strong working relationships with existing suppliers, to ensure a consistent supply of products of the right quality and at the right price.
   Conduct market research to stay updated on seafood industry and seasonal trends, pricing, availability, and regulatory requirements.
   Develop and implement sourcing strategies to optimize cost, quality, and delivery times, both in line with forecasts and proactively recognising opportunities and threats within the market.
   Manage inventory levels against forecasts and ideal stockholding requirements.
   Facilitate procurement transactions, including liaison between the supplier, Logistics, Operations, Sales, Quality Assurance, and Finance.
   Identify opportunities to develop or expand the company's product range.
2. Negotiation:
   Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions with suppliers to secure the best possible deals.
   Ensure contracts and agreements are in place and comply with company policies and standards.
   Manage and resolve any claims on suppliers and address quality-, price or service-related issues in a timely manner, negotiating the best settlement for the business.
3. Supplier Relations:
   Build and maintain strong relationships with seafood suppliers.
   Where relevant or required, provide suppliers with forecasts and monitor adherence to supply requirements.
   Where relevant or required, work with senior management, sales teams and suppliers to develop category plans, including range reviews, new product identification and/or development.
   Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and provide feedback for improvement.
   Collaborate with suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards and sustainability practices.
4. Reporting:
   Prepare and maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and supplier performance.
   Generate regular reports to senior management on procurement activities, costs, availability, and market trends.
   Provide insights and proposals/recommendations to senior management based on logical deduction from market intelligence and data analysis. Anticipate obstacles and risks and escalate where appropriate.

Requirements:

• Proven experience (minimum of 3 years) in buying and sourcing, supplier management, and order management. Knowledge of the local and Namibian seafood market and suppliers, seafood industry standards, and quality control processes would be advantageous.
• Strong negotiation, networking, and relationship building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, communicating clearly with suppliers, colleagues, and management.
• Strong organizational, time management, multi-tasking and administration skills, with a high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong sense of urgency.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment, delivering against the business's requirements and departmental KPI's.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and a proactive solution-driven approach.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently as well as within a team structure. Able to take direction.
• Resourceful and energetic.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Matric or equivalent required.
• Additional certification in procurement, logistics, supply chain management, or a related field is advantageous.
  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel in particular), experience with SAP Business One (or similar ERP) advantageous.
  Experience needed:
  Minimum 3 years relevant experience.

Desired Skills:

• Buying
• Procurement
• Purchasing and procurement management

Desired Work Experience:

• 2 to 5 years Food & Beverage Manufacturing
• 2 to 5 years Purchasing & Procurement