Procurement Officer

Austell; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Austell Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly organized Procurement Officer to join our Johannesburg Supply Chain team. You will support demand planning, inventory control, and import tracking to ensure uninterrupted product supply.

Responsibilities include forecasting, coordinating supplier orders, tracking imports, and driving continuous improvement while collaborating with suppliers and internal stakeholders to optimise procurement processes.

Qualifications

• Matric with Mathematics and Accounting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in procurement or supply chain in FMCG or similar.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Sales/Marketing to develop demand forecasts.
• Analyse sales data, trends, MOQs, lead times; adjust procurement plans.
• Monitor finished goods inventory to align with forecasts.
• Coordinate supplier orders, expedite deliveries, manage lead times.
• Track imports, liaise with freight forwarders and customs.
• Communicate import status to internal stakeholders and ensure docs.
• Maintain supplier relationships and monitor performance metrics.
• Identify and address supply chain disruptions and improvements.
• Support process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with import, customs, and documentation requirements.

Skills

Demand planning

Inventory management

Procurement coordination

Import tracking

Supplier relationships

Data analysis

Excel

Communication

Time management

Negotiation

Process improvement

Education

Matric with Mathematics and Accounting

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Austell Pharmaceuticals is one of South Africa's fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies, committed to operational excellence, innovation, and ensuring the reliable supply of quality healthcare products.

We are seeking a highly organised and analytical Procurement Officer to join our Supply Chain team. This role plays a critical part in supporting procurement operations, demand planning, and import tracking activities to ensure the uninterrupted supply of products across the business.

The Procurement Officer will be responsible for analysing demand forecasts, monitoring inventory levels, coordinating supplier orders, and tracking imports to ensure products are acquired and delivered on time. The role requires strong collaboration with suppliers, freight partners, and internal stakeholders to optimise procurement processes and support overall supply chain efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Demand Planning & Inventory Management

• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing teams to develop accurate product demand forecasts.
• Analyse historical sales data, market trends, customer demand patterns, lead times, and manufacturing minimum order quantities (MOQs).
• Adjust procurement plans based on demand fluctuations to optimise inventory levels and minimise stockouts or excess inventory.
• Monitor inventory levels of finished products to ensure alignment with demand forecasts and operational requirements.
• Identify and communicate inventory shortages or excesses to relevant stakeholders.

Procurement Coordination & Import Tracking

• Coordinate with suppliers to place orders, expedite deliveries, and manage lead times.
• Monitor manufacturing timelines, dispatch schedules, and import documentation submissions.
• Liaise with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers to track shipments and resolve import-related issues.
• Communicate import status updates and expected delivery timelines to internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate with warehouse and logistics teams to ensure timely receipt of stock and accurate documentation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics, including manufacturing timelines, dispatch accuracy, and lead times.
• Identify and elevate supplier-related issues or supply chain disruptions.
• Collaborate with suppliers on corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives to improve supply chain efficiency and reliability.

Continuous Improvement & Process Optimisation

• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, demand forecasting accuracy, and inventory management practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and drive operational efficiency.
• Support initiatives that improve supply chain visibility, reporting, and procurement effectiveness.

Documentation & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with importation, customs clearance, and transportation documentation requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of supplier communication, procurement activities, and meeting minutes.
• Ensure procurement documentation and reporting are accurate, up to date, and audit ready.

Education

• Matric with Mathematics (Higher Grade) and Accounting
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years' experience in procurement or supply chain within an FMCG or related environment
• Experience in procurement, demand planning, inventory management, and import tracking
• Exposure to ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle will be advantageous
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong organisational and time management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem-solving and process improvement mindset
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams
• Strong business acumen and negotiation capability