Junior Purchasing Assistant

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

Benefits offered by this job

On-the-job training

Mentorship from experienced buyers

Competitive entry-level salary

Standard company benefits package

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Junior Purchasing Assistant for our Durban, KwaZulu-Natal facility. This on-site role supports the procurement team and offers hands-on experience in purchasing, supplier relations, and cost control within a manufacturing environment.

You will assist in processing purchase orders, maintaining records, and coordinating with warehouses. The role emphasizes learning the full purchasing cycle with mentorship from senior buyers.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent; procurement/supply chain certificate is a plus.
• Experience in administration or entry-level purchasing is desirable but not essential.
• Strong organization, communication, and interpersonal abilities required.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Process purchase requisitions and generate purchase orders.
• Maintain purchasing records and supplier data in the system.
• Communicate with suppliers on orders, delivery schedules, and pricing.
• Track orders and follow up on overdue deliveries.
• Receive and verify incoming goods against POs.
• Coordinate with warehouse and logistics for timely receipt and storage.
• Resolve discrepancies between POs, invoices, and receiving reports.
• Support senior buyers with sourcing and supplier research.
• Help maintain inventory levels with timely replenishment.
• Prepare basic purchasing activity reports.

Skills

Organizational skills

Strong communication

Detail-oriented

Team player

Proactive attitude

Punctual and reliable

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Procurement/supply chain certificate (plus)

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a well-established manufacturing firm in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA , is seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Junior Purchasing Assistant to support their procurement team. This on-site role is perfect for an individual eager to launch their career in purchasing and gain hands‑on experience in a dynamic industrial setting. You will assist in the daily operations of the purchasing department, ensuring the smooth flow of materials and services necessary for production. This is an excellent opportunity to learn the intricacies of supply chain management, vendor relations, and cost control from experienced professionals within our Durban facility. We are committed to fostering talent and providing a solid foundation for career development in the procurement field.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in processing purchase requisitions and generating purchase orders.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and update supplier information in the system.
• Communicate with suppliers to confirm order details, delivery schedules, and pricing.
• Track the status of orders and follow up on overdue deliveries.
• Receive, inspect, and verify incoming goods against purchase orders.
• Coordinate with the warehouse and logistics teams for timely receipt and storage of materials.
• Assist in resolving discrepancies between purchase orders, invoices, and receiving reports.
• Support senior buyers in sourcing activities and supplier research.
• Help maintain inventory levels by ensuring timely replenishment of stock.
• Prepare basic reports on purchasing activities as requested.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; a certificate in procurement or supply chain is a plus.
• Previous administrative or entry-level purchasing experience is desirable but not essential.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Good communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency in basic computer applications, including MS Office (Word, Excel).
• Ability to learn quickly and follow instructions accurately.
• A proactive attitude and willingness to assist team members.
• Must be able to work effectively within a team and adhere to company policies.
• Must be reliable and punctual for the on-site role in Durban .
• Eagerness to develop a career in the purchasing and supply chain field.

Benefits

• On-the-job training and mentorship from experienced procurement professionals.
• Opportunity to gain comprehensive experience in purchasing.
• Competitive entry-level salary.
• Standard company benefits package.
• Stable work environment within a reputable manufacturing company.
• Potential for career progression within the organization.
• Contribution to a vital operational function.
• Exposure to diverse procurement tasks.