Purchasing Manager

3L Consulting; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail and wholesale distribution company in Gqeberha seeks a Purchasing Manager. The successful candidate will drive Distribution Centre sales, manage supplier relationships, and ensure category performance in a competitive FMCG environment. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years' management experience and a tertiary qualification in Marketing or a related field. Excellent negotiation and leadership skills are essential in this role, which is crucial for retail profitability and sustainable growth.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Standard company benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' management experience within an FMCG environment.
• Proven track record in developing suppliers to compliant distribution partners.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally across the supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Drive Distribution Centre (DC) sales and achieve profit targets.
• Manage supplier performance and negotiate terms.
• Oversee warehouse stock levels and financial management.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Interpersonal skills

Conflict management

Education

Tertiary qualification in Marketing or related field

Tools

Computing software

Job description

Overview

Sector: Retail / FMCG – Marketing & Purchasing
Location: Eastern Cape
Division: Marketing
Reports To: Divisional Marketing Executive
Nature of Role: Permanent | Full-time | On-site

Role Context

3L Consulting is recruiting on behalf of a leading retail and wholesale distribution group with a strong regional footprint and a long-standing legacy of supporting independently owned retail businesses.

Operating within a highly competitive FMCG environment, the organisation plays a critical role in driving retail profitability, distribution efficiency, and sustainable growth across its network. Its Marketing Division is central to this mandate, ensuring that the right products are sourced, competitively priced, and delivered on time to meet retailer requirements while driving Distribution Centre (DC) performance.

This role is ideally suited to a commercially astute purchasing professional with strong leadership, negotiation, and strategic planning capability, and a deep understanding of retailer-focused distribution models.

Purpose of the position

The purpose of this position is to drive Distribution Centre (DC) sales, grow retail loyalty, and achieve DC and retail gross profit targets, while gaining market share through the careful planning and purchasing of the correct stock, at the right time, and in line with retailer requirements.

The Purchasing Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across purchasing, promotions, supplier management, and category performance, ensuring pricing competitiveness, service level excellence, and sustainable profitability for both the business and its retail partners.

Key Responsibilities / Performance Areas

• Purchasing, Promotions & Commercial Performance
• Manage and oversee promotions planning to support DC and retail sales growth.
• Drive the achievement of sales and gross profit targets across relevant product categories.
• Ensure product pricing competitiveness against market competitors while protecting budgeted retail margins.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and promotional strategy aligned to divisional and commercial objectives.
• Trade aggressively to maximise market share and overall commercial performance.

• Retail & Service Level Delivery

Deliver on defined service levels to retail partners, ensuring consistent product availability and reliability.

Provide category leadership to the Marketing team and retail stakeholders.

Maintain a strong understanding of the retail distribution model and retailer needs, ensuring purchasing decisions are aligned to operational realities at store level.

• Supplier & Product Management

Manage the performance of suppliers from a pricing, product, and service-level perspective.

Negotiate trading terms and supplier Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to support profitability and service excellence.

Drive product development, including working with suppliers to introduce compliant, competitive product offerings.

Develop suppliers at grassroots level into fully compliant distribution partners where required.

• Stock, Controls & Financial Management

Oversee warehouse stock levels in line with budgeted expectations and demand planning requirements.

Develop and implement internal controls to manage and report on Category Managers’ key performance areas.

Control departmental administration and expenses, ensuring alignment with approved budgets and governance standards.

• Leadership & Team Contribution

Assist in providing leadership to the Marketing team, contributing to overall team effectiveness and performance.

Provide mentorship, guidance, and direction to team members, including Category Managers.

Collaborate cross-functionally across the supply chain, ensuring alignment between purchasing, logistics, and retail operations.

Lead and participate in high-level meetings and negotiations with retailers and suppliers.

• General

Effectively manage conflict situations, working towards mutually acceptable outcomes.

Perform ad-hoc tasks and duties as required to support divisional and organisational objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 5 years’ management experience within an FMCG environment.
• Tertiary qualification in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field.
• Proven track record in the development of suppliers from grassroots level to fully compliant distribution partners.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally across the supply chain.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Proven strategic decision-making capability.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to trade aggressively in a competitive market environment.
• Prior experience may compensate for qualifications not fully met.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Proven leadership and people management capability.
• Effective negotiation skills with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Team-oriented, with the ability to operate independently at management level.
• Ability to manage and lead high-level meetings and negotiations with retailers and suppliers.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members.
• Strong understanding of retail and FMCG dynamics.
• Proven ability to manage conflict constructively and reach mutually acceptable outcomes.

Benefits

A competitive remuneration package is offered, including standard company benefits aligned with a management level role.