Category Buyer

Smart4 Energy; Germiston; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart4Energy is partnering with an established industrial engineering and manufacturing organisation to appoint an experienced Category Buyer to join its procurement team. This hands‑on role supports the full procure-to-pay process across direct and indirect products and services.

You will manage suppliers, negotiate terms, raise and track purchase orders, and coordinate local and international procurement in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in buying, procurement or supply chain.
• Experience in industrial/manufacturing environment.
• Experience with SAP MM and international procurement.
• Strong supplier management and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Review and validate purchase requisitions for accuracy and completeness.
• Create and manage purchase orders using SAP MM.
• Source materials locally and internationally.
• Prepare, issue and manage RFQs.
• Evaluate suppliers and negotiate pricing and delivery terms.
• Track and expedite orders to ensure on-time, in-full delivery.
• Build and maintain supplier data and relationships.
• Coordinate with freight forwarders and customs for international shipments.
• Produce procurement reports and support cost-management initiatives.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with internal policies.

Skills

Procurement

Supplier negotiation

Procure-to-pay

Tools

SAP MM

Job description

Category Buyer | Industrial / Manufacturing

Smart4Energy is partnering with an established industrial engineering and manufacturing organisation to appoint an experienced Category Buyer to join its procurement team.

This is a hands‑on procurement role supporting the full procure-to-pay process, with responsibility for managing multiple categories of direct and indirect products and services across both operational and strategic purchasing activities.

The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced industrial environment, managing suppliers, negotiating commercial terms, raising and managing purchase orders, expediting critical materials and coordinating both local and international procurement.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and validate purchase requisitions for accuracy and completeness.
• Create and manage purchase orders using SAP MM.
• Source materials, equipment and services locally and internationally.
• Prepare, issue and manage RFQs / Requests for Quotation.
• Evaluate suppliers and negotiate pricing, contracts and delivery terms.
• Track and expedite orders to ensure on-time, in-full delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues relating to quality, NCRs and delivery delays.
• Identify and qualify alternative suppliers to reduce procurement risk and improve competitiveness.
• Manage technical specifications and ensure alignment with purchasing requirements.
• Maintain accurate supplier, purchasing and master data within SAP MM.
• Coordinate with freight forwarders and customs agents for international shipments.
• Verify shipping and customs documentation and maintain accurate logistics records.
• Manage Incoterms, freight decisions and import compliance.
• Produce procurement reports and support cost-management and operational-efficiency initiatives.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with internal procurement policies and procedures.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll suit this opportunity if you have solid experience within buying, procurement or supply chain, ideally gained in an industrial, engineering, manufacturing, mechanical equipment or related technical environment.