Purchasing Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Health insurance

Paid annual leave

Equipment provided

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Purchasing Lead for a fully remote role in South Africa, anchored in Pretoria, Gauteng. You will manage procurement of technology hardware, software, and services, oversee supplier negotiations, and drive cost efficiency while ensuring quality across a distributed team.

With 5+ years in purchasing or procurement and at least 2 years in a leadership capacity, you will shape purchasing policies, manage relationships, and collaborate with IT, Engineering, and

Qualifications

• 5+ years in purchasing/procurement or supply chain.
• 2+ years in lead/supervisory role.
• Experience negotiating contracts with suppliers.
• Strong procurement best-practice knowledge for tech goods.
• Proficient with procurement software and ERP.
• Remote work ability and self-motivation.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily purchasing operations: orders, expediting, tracking.
• Develop policies to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Onboard and evaluate new suppliers for quality and reliability.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts with suppliers.
• Manage supplier performance and relationships for service delivery.
• Collaborate with IT, Engineering, Finance to meet procurement needs.
• Oversee inventory management and stock levels.
• Analyze purchasing data for trends and savings opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with policies and industry regulations.
• Support budget planning and cost-control initiatives.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier relations

Procurement strategy

Data analysis

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Supply Chain

Tools

Procurement software

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-growing technology firm, is seeking an experienced Purchasing Lead to manage its procurement operations from Pretoria, Gauteng. This role is pivotal in establishing and optimizing purchasing processes, ensuring the timely acquisition of technology hardware, software, and services while maintaining cost-efficiency and quality. The Purchasing Lead will be responsible for supplier selection, negotiation, and contract management, playing a key role in supporting the company's rapid expansion. This is a fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere within South Africa. Our client is committed to building a distributed team and fostering a culture of trust and autonomy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the daily purchasing operations, including order placement, expediting, and tracking.
• Develop and refine purchasing policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers, ensuring they meet quality and reliability standards.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions with suppliers to achieve cost savings and favorable agreements.
• Manage supplier performance and maintain strong relationships to ensure optimal service delivery.
• Collaborate with internal teams (IT, Engineering, Finance) to understand procurement needs and timelines.
• Oversee inventory management strategies for procured goods, ensuring adequate stock levels.
• Analyze purchasing data to identify trends, cost-saving opportunities, and process improvements.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies and industry regulations.
• Contribute to budget planning and cost control initiatives for procurement.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain roles, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Proven experience in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships effectively.
• Strong understanding of procurement best practices, especially in technology-related procurement.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with procurement software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively in a remote setting.
• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Self‑motivated and able to thrive in a fully remote work environment.
• Must be based in South Africa for potential occasional meetings, although the role is fully remote.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering exceptional flexibility.
• Comprehensive health insurance benefits.
• Generous paid annual leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and upskilling.
• Company-provided equipment for remote work.
• Pension scheme participation.
• Performance-based incentives.
• A collaborative and innovative virtual work culture.
• Direct impact on a rapidly growing technology company's success.