Procurement & Inventory Specialist

ZealHR; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mandatory Pension Fund

Discovery Medical Aid (optional)

Job summary

ZealHR is partnering with a well-established South African manufacturing and distribution company based in Germiston to recruit a Procurement & Inventory Specialist. You will own end-to-end procurement, manage international suppliers, and optimise stock levels based on demand and trends.

The role requires advanced Excel, strong reporting, and solid analytical skills, with proven ability to drive cost savings and improve working capital. ERP experience with Sage Evolution is preferred.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in procurement, purchasing or inventory management.
• Experience with international suppliers across multiple countries.
• Experience with Sage Evolution or a similar ERP/inventory system.
• Advanced Excel and strong reporting capabilities.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Procurement & Supplier Management: Manage the full procurement cycle from sourcing through to delivery; negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times and contracts with local and international suppliers; manage suppliers across markets including China, UK, USA and Turkey; build and maintain strong supplier relationships; identify alternative suppliers and implement cost-saving initiatives; monitor supplier performance, quality and compliance.
• Inventory & Stock Management: Analyse stock levels and optimise inventory holdings; monitor slow-moving, obsolete and high-risk stock; forecast demand based on requirements and sales trends; manage reorder levels and safety stock; improve inventory turnover and working capital efficiency.
• Reporting & Analysis: Prepare detailed procurement and inventory reports for management; analyse costing structures, pricing margins and landed costs; evaluate supplier lead times and their impact on planning; provide strategic recommendations to improve procurement efficiency and profitability; prepare monthly reports on stock movement, procurement spend and margin analysis.
• Systems & Administration: Utilise Sage Evolution or a similar ERP/inventory system; ensure accurate procurement and stock data capturing; maintain data integrity for reporting and audit purposes.

Job description

Procurement & Inventory Specialist

Our client is a well-established South African manufacturing and distribution company with over 60 years of industry experience. Based in Germiston, the company specialises in security and supply-chain solutions, manufacturing and supplying a range of products to customers across various industries. The business works with both local and international suppliers and places a strong focus on quality, innovation, customer service and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will be highly analytical, commercially minded and confident working with numbers, data and trends. They must be able to analyse information, identify opportunities and provide meaningful insights to senior management.

Responsibilities:

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Manage the full procurement cycle from sourcing through to delivery.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times and contracts with local and international suppliers.
• Manage suppliers across markets including China, UK, USA and Turkey.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Identify alternative suppliers and implement cost-saving initiatives.
• Monitor supplier performance, quality and compliance.

Inventory & Stock Management

• Analyse stock levels and optimise inventory holdings.
• Monitor slow-moving, obsolete and high-risk stock.
• Forecast demand based on requirements and sales trends.
• Manage reorder levels and safety stock.
• Improve inventory turnover and working capital efficiency.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare detailed procurement and inventory reports for management.
• Analyse costing structures, pricing margins and landed costs.
• Evaluate supplier lead times and their impact on planning.
• Provide strategic recommendations to improve procurement efficiency and profitability.
• Prepare monthly reports on stock movement, procurement spend and margin analysis.

Systems & Administration

• Utilise Sage Evolution or a similar ERP/inventory system.
• Ensure accurate procurement and stock data capturing.
• Maintain data integrity for reporting and audit purposes.

Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualification advantageous.
• 5+ years experience in procurement, purchasing or inventory management, preferably within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Proven experience managing international suppliers across multiple countries.
• Experience with Sage Evolution or a similar ERP/inventory system.
• Advanced Excel and strong reporting capabilities.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong strategic and commercial thinking.
• Highly organised, proactive and deadline driven.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

What they're looking for:

• Ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Analyse data and identify trends and opportunities.
• Understand the impact of procurement decisions on cash flow, margins, working capital and profitability.
• Challenge assumptions and investigate root causes.
• Make evidence-based recommendations.
• Identify cost-saving and inventory optimisation opportunities.
• Confidently engage with senior management and the Managing Director.
• Present and defend recommendations using facts, analysis and measurable outcomes.
• Balance operational requirements with the company's financial objectives.

Benefits:

• Mandatory Pension Fund
• Optional Discovery Medical Aid