Procurement Specialist - Raw Materials

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein seeks a Procurement Specialist to source raw materials for our agricultural processing client. You will develop sourcing strategies, negotiate contracts, and build strong relationships with farmers and suppliers to ensure quality and continuity.

You will monitor market trends, manage supplier performance, and collaborate with production, quality, and logistics teams. A degree in SCM or related field and 4–6 years of procurement experience in agriculture or food

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 4–6 years of procurement experience, specifically sourcing raw materials in agriculture/food processing.
• Strong understanding of agricultural commodity markets and procurement in this sector.
• Proven negotiation and contract management skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to interpret market data.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for key raw material categories.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers and farmers, ensuring quality and reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve cost savings and secure supply.
• Monitor market trends, commodity prices, and global supply/demand dynamics.
• Manage supplier relationships, conduct performance reviews, and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, quality standards, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Collaborate with production, QA, and logistics to meet material requirements.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure supply chain continuity.
• Prepare and present regular reports on procurement activities, cost savings, and market outlook.
• Manage inventory levels of raw materials with operations.

Skills

Procurement

Supplier relations

Contract negotiation

Market analysis

MS Office

ERP systems

Education

BSc in SCM

Tools

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the agricultural processing industry, is seeking a skilled Procurement Specialist to manage the sourcing of raw materials from their Bloemfontein hub. This critical role involves developing and executing sourcing strategies to ensure a consistent, high-quality supply of raw materials while optimizing costs. You will be responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with farmers and suppliers, negotiating contracts, and managing market volatility. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of agricultural commodity markets and a proven ability to manage complex supply chains. This position offers an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact on the company's production efficiency and profitability. The role involves a significant degree of autonomy and strategic input, contributing to the core operations from Bloemfontein.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for key raw material categories.


• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers and farmers, ensuring quality and reliability.


• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers to achieve cost savings and secure supply.


• Monitor market trends, commodity prices, and global supply/demand dynamics to inform procurement decisions.


• Manage supplier relationships, conduct performance reviews, and drive continuous improvement.


• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, quality standards, and ethical sourcing practices.


• Collaborate with production, quality assurance, and logistics teams to meet material requirements.


• Develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure supply chain continuity.


• Prepare and present regular reports on procurement activities, cost savings, and market outlook.


• Manage inventory levels of raw materials in coordination with the operations team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Business Administration, or a related field.


• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in procurement, specifically sourcing raw materials, ideally within the agricultural or food processing sector.


• Strong understanding of agricultural commodity markets and procurement in this sector.


• Proven negotiation and contract management skills.


• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret market data.


• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and experience with procurement software or ERP systems.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with suppliers.


• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.


• Knowledge of quality control standards relevant to raw materials.


• A commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and a retirement fund.


• Opportunities for professional development and career growth are readily available.


• This role offers significant autonomy and the chance to shape procurement strategies within a key industry.


• Join a dedicated team in Bloemfontein and contribute to the success of a leading agricultural processor.