Buying Manager

Worldwide Positions; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organisation in engineering procurement seeks an experienced Buying Manager in Vereeniging to oversee procurement functions. The successful applicant will manage supplier contracts, ensure compliance with quality standards, and develop procurement strategies aligned with engineering projects. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and at least 8 years of relevant experience. This strategic role demands strong negotiation and communication skills, with a focus on supplier management and technical understanding. Competitive compensation is offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years’ procurement or buying experience within the engineering sector.
• Strong technical understanding of engineering equipment and materials.
• Ability to work under pressure in a deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and negotiate supplier contracts for engineering-related goods.
• Oversee end-to-end tender and RFQ processes for engineering materials.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned to project timelines.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Supplier management

Strategic thinking

Technical understanding

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or Engineering

Tools

SAP Business One

MS Excel

MS Office

Job description

Our client, a leading organisation within the engineering and industrial inspection equipment and consumables sector, is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Buying Manager to oversee and optimise their procurement function. This is a critical role for a strong negotiator and strategic thinker with deep experience sourcing technical, engineering and industrial materials, equipment, and services. Reporting to the Commercial Operations Manager, the successful candidate will drive procurement strategy, ensure continuity of supply for engineering projects and production operations, manage supplier performance, and lead a high-performing procurement team within a complex and fast-paced engineering environment.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier and Contract Management

Lead and negotiate supplier contracts, focusing on technical and engineering-related goods and services.

Present contract motivations to top management and make recommendations for supplier awards.

Maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure continuity of supply for critical engineering components.

Conduct supplier reviews, monitor performance, and ensure adherence to quality, delivery and safety standards.

Resolve supplier quality issues, non-conformances and delivery disputes.

Ensure compliance with engineering procurement policies, procedures and regulatory frameworks.

Procurement and Sourcing

Oversee end-to-end tender, RFQ, and sourcing processes for engineering materials, tooling, machinery and technical services.

Identify supply risks related to specialised engineering components and implement mitigation strategies.

Evaluate and select suppliers based on technical capability, quality assurance, cost structures and BBBEE / PPPFMA compliance.

Maintain procurement documentation, purchase records, supplier files and regulatory compliance.

Manage procurement staff and align the team with departmental and project objectives.

Strategic Procurement Management

Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned to engineering project timelines and operational needs.

Ensure supplier capability assessments are conducted before awarding technical contracts.

Drive achievement of SMME and BEE procurement targets within the engineering supply chain.

Process Improvement and Reporting

Improve procurement workflows, systems and controls to support engineering project efficiency.

Roll out digital procurement initiatives such as vendor portals and automated workflows.

Prepare and present procurement KPIs, spend analyses and technical procurement reports.

Compliance and Risk Management

Ensure all buying activities comply with PFMA / PPPFMA requirements and engineering quality standards.

Maintain an audit-ready procurement environment with strong governance.

Identify engineering-related procurement risks and implement mitigation strategies.

Leadership

Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team with strong engineering product knowledge.

Align departmental output to broader engineering, production and project objectives.

Build strong internal relationships with engineering, production, planning and maintenance teams.

Promote an ethical, safety-conscious and high-performance procurement culture.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Materials Management, Engineering or a related field.

Minimum 8 years’ procurement or buying experience within the engineering, industrial or heavy manufacturing sector.

Strong technical understanding of engineering equipment, materials, manufacturing processes and supplier capabilities.

Experience with SAP Business One beneficial.

Advanced MS Excel and strong MS Office skills.

Excellent negotiation, communication and supplier management skills.

High attention to detail, integrity and professionalism

Ability to work under pressure in a deadline-driven and engineering-focused environment.

Behavioural Competencies

Self-motivated and disciplined

Results and quality driven

Customer and stakeholder focused

Calm under pressure

Detail orientated

Safety conscious

Professional and team-oriented

If you are an engineering-focused procurement professional ready to step into a strategic leadership role, we invite you to apply.