Lead Buyer Subsystems

Alstom; Nigel; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Alstom is seeking a Lead Buyer Subsystems in Nigel to drive regional sourcing within propulsion and electrical systems. You will support the Sourcing Manager, manage RFx activities, and ensure purchasing transactions align with the central ALSTOM strategy while meeting local content targets.

The role requires a strong procurement background in manufacturing/rail, excellent supplier management, and the ability to navigate a cross-functional team. Occasional travel to supplier sites is expected.

Qualifications

• National Diploma in Purchasing or equivalent required.
• Minimum 5–7 years in Procurement or related industry.
• Procurement/quality/supply chain background beneficial.
• Experience in sourcing, supplier management, and contract basics.
• Willingness to travel and work in a complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Support Sourcing Manager in leading the team.
• Lead or support RFx sourcing projects.
• Manage day-to-day purchasing in the region and ensure procure-to-pay flow.
• Align local commodity strategies with global central strategy (ALSTOM).
• Manage supplier contracts and relationships.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Travel willingness

Education

Diploma/degree in Purchasing or related field

Job description

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Lead Buyer Subsystems

Date: 26 Oct 2026

Company: Alstom

At Alstom, we understand transport networks and what moves people. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, we offer our diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. Every day, more than 80 000 colleagues lead the way to greener and smarter mobility worldwide, connecting cities as we reduce carbon and replace cars.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

• Integrated in the Subsystems, the Buyer will deploy commodities strategy of its perimeter (ex: Propulsion and electrical systems, Braking system, compressed air systems, Suspensions, Bearings, Cooling Systems etc) and ensure project executions are in line with QCD objectives.
• Facilitate the sourcing activities in supplier selection, supplier performance management, risk management and to support securization of the project execution within budget
• Localization to support local content targets agreed with customers
• Required to pilot contractual relationships with suppliers

POSITION IN THE ORGANIZATION –

MAIN OFFICE LOCATION:

• Locatedin Nigel(Ekurhuleni) at theproduction site
• May also be required to visit suppliers and other Alstom sites/offices
• Work with Cross Functional Teams to execute Sourcing Strategies i.e. Central Teams, Suppliers, Projects Team, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, Supply-Chain, Quality, Engineering, Economic Development, Legal, Finance, etc.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Support Sourcing Manager in leading the team
• Play in leading role in Sourcing Projects (RFx) supporting the Buyer
• To execute day-to-day buying at a specific region and ensure that purchasing transactions are directed through the correct procure-to-pay channel (e.g., emergency order vs pre-sourced order).
• Integrated in each domain team, the Buyer will deploy commodity strategy to serve local requirements while keeping in line with the Global Strategy at Central (ALSTOM)
• The Buyer will also be required to manage the contractual relationship with suppliers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understand subsystem domain strategies and sourcing plans to support
• Ensure a full understanding of commodity buying needs
• Identify future supply and/or demand issues to ensure a proactive and effective response
• Provide intelligence on potential or existing issues
• Check accuracy of Purchase Request data
• Where contracts are not in place, select suppliers by getting quotations or executing local tender process (with support from Commodity Leads and Commodity Managers)
• Raise POs & contract agreements to selected suppliers
• Track the orders and report on the order status
• Assist supply chain to secure supplier On Time in Full performance
• Ensure that supplier pricing is in line with the market indices and Inform relevant Commodity Manager/Analyst if there are discrepancies
• Understand and keep up with macro-trends and regulations in the region and communicate findings with Commodity Managers/Analysts
• Communicate supply and demand issues/changes with relevant Commodity Managers/Analysts
• Ensure the KPI agreed between Sourcing Management and internal stakeholders are achieved as per SLA
• Link local end users to sourcing actions to ensure new supply agreements are developed and implemented appropriately
• Proactively manage operational risks and challenges stemming from regions
• KPIs:
• Support Local Communities through identification of opportunities
• Business Award (supplier selection) and Purchase Order placement on Time
• First Article Inspection on Time (for components only)
• Cost reduction vs. Budget (savings)
• Local Content and Preferential Procurement (spend with SMEs, QSEs, BWOs and local-local suppliers) performances
• Internal customer satisfaction

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS/DESIRED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE & BEHAVIOUR

• National Diploma in Purchasing or equivalent. BS or BA in Purchasing, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Information Technology or another business-related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in Procurement, or same/similar Industry work experience (e.g., quality/engineering/costing/ etc).
• Procurement professional background and/or Quality /supply chain/technical background.
• Solid working experience, with sourcing/supply chain exposure (manufacturing / automotive / rail industries preferred), with at least 3 years in management
• Purchasing professional background and/orQuality /supply chain/technical background
• International mind-set
• Communication (both verbal and non-verbal)
• Internal and external influencing skills
• Ability to work in complex organization and to manage wide transversal network
• Negotiation Skills
• Strategic vision
• Ability to work independently
• Willingness to travel

Important to note

As a global business, we're an equal-opportunity employer that celebrates diversity across the 63 countries we operate in. We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace for everyone.