Junior Purchasing Assistant

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

competitive entry-level salary

medical aid

retirement fund

paid leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein is seeking a Junior Purchasing Assistant to join the supply chain team. This entry‑level role focuses on day‑to‑day purchasing administration, including processing purchase orders, updating supplier records, coordinating deliveries, and assisting with inventory management.

The successful candidate will be organized, detail‑oriented and eager to learn, with strong communication skills to liaise with suppliers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma; a tertiary qualification in Business Administration or Supply Chain Management is a plus.
• 1-2 years of experience in an administrative, clerical, or purchasing support role.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for data entry and basic reporting.
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of accuracy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• A proactive and eager-to-learn attitude.
• Basic understanding of inventory management principles is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and processing of purchase orders for raw materials, packaging, and operational supplies.
• Maintain accurate supplier databases, including contact information, pricing agreements, and delivery terms.
• Coordinate with suppliers to schedule deliveries and ensure timely arrival of goods.
• Liaise with the warehouse and production teams to manage inventory levels and identify reorder needs.
• Process invoices and cross-reference them with purchase orders and receiving documents.
• Respond to internal and external inquiries related to purchasing status and order tracking.
• Support the purchasing team in gathering quotes and comparing prices from different suppliers.
• Assist in maintaining procurement records and filing systems.
• Help monitor stock levels and report any potential shortages or overstock situations.
• Contribute to maintaining efficient and organized purchasing operations.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a reputable food and beverage manufacturer, is seeking an enthusiastic and organized Junior Purchasing Assistant to join their supply chain team in Bloemfontein . This role provides an excellent entry point into the procurement field, offering hands‑on experience in managing the day‑to‑day administrative tasks associated with purchasing. The Junior Purchasing Assistant will support the purchasing department by processing purchase orders, maintaining supplier records, coordinating deliveries, and assisting with inventory management. The successful candidate will be eager to learn, possess strong organizational skills, and have a keen eye for detail. This is a fantastic opportunity for an individual looking to build a career in procurement within a stable and growing company located in Bloemfontein .

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and processing of purchase orders for raw materials, packaging, and operational supplies.
• Maintain accurate supplier databases, including contact information, pricing agreements, and delivery terms.
• Coordinate with suppliers to schedule deliveries and ensure timely arrival of goods.
• Liaise with the warehouse and production teams to manage inventory levels and identify reorder needs.
• Process invoices and cross-reference them with purchase orders and receiving documents.
• Respond to internal and external inquiries related to purchasing status and order tracking.
• Support the purchasing team in gathering quotes and comparing prices from different suppliers.
• Assist in maintaining procurement records and filing systems.
• Help monitor stock levels and report any potential shortages or overstock situations.
• Contribute to maintaining efficient and organized purchasing operations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; a tertiary qualification in Business Administration or Supply Chain Management is a plus.
• 1-2 years of experience in an administrative, clerical, or purchasing support role.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for data entry and basic reporting.
• Strong organizational skills and a high level of accuracy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• A proactive and eager-to-learn attitude.
• Basic understanding of inventory management principles is beneficial.

Benefits

• competitive entry-level salary
• medical aid
• a retirement fund
• paid leave

This position provides invaluable training and mentorship, offering a clear path for career advancement within the procurement department. Join a stable and well-respected company in Bloemfontein and kick-start your career in supply chain management.