Purchasing Officer - Raw Materials

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Career growth

Stable environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a meticulous Purchasing Officer for our Durban facility to manage raw materials procurement. You will source, negotiate, and maintain supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost efficiency, and on-time deliveries in a fast-moving FMCG environment.

The role requires a minimum of 3 years in purchasing, strong knowledge of procurement processes, and experience with ERP systems (SAP or Oracle). On-site, full-time work with a focus on accuracy and supplier performance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of purchasing experience, focused on raw materials or industrial supplies.
• Strong procurement processes knowledge and negotiation skills.
• ERP experience (SAP or Oracle) is desirable.
• Attention to detail and accurate record-keeping will be essential.

Responsibilities

• Procure raw materials according to production schedules and specs.
• Source and evaluate new suppliers; maintain supplier database.
• Negotiate pricing, terms and delivery with suppliers for cost savings.
• Manage existing supplier relationships and address performance issues.
• Monitor inventory with the team to prevent stockouts or overstocking.
• Process purchase orders and ensure accurate records.
• Stay informed on market trends, prices, and potential disruptions.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies and ethics.
• Prepare regular reports on purchasing costs and supplier performance.
• Collaborate with QA and production to meet material specs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Diploma or degree in Supply Chain Management / Business Administration

Tools

Excel

SAP

Oracle

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent manufacturer in the FMCG sector, is seeking a meticulous and results-oriented Purchasing Officer to manage the acquisition of raw materials. This role is critical to ensuring the consistent supply of high-quality materials needed for production, directly impacting operational efficiency and product quality. The position is based at our facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA, and requires a dedicated individual with a strong understanding of raw material markets and procurement best practices. You will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing relationships with suppliers to secure competitive pricing and reliable delivery schedules. This is an on-site position requiring full-time presence at our Durban location.

Key Responsibilities

• Procure raw materials and supplies according to production schedules and quality specifications.
• Source and evaluate potential new suppliers, maintaining a strong supplier database.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with suppliers to achieve cost savings and ensure timely arrivals.
• Manage existing supplier relationships, ensuring performance meets expectations and addressing any issues.
• Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with the inventory management team to prevent stockouts or overstocking.
• Process purchase orders and ensure accurate record-keeping.
• Stay informed about market trends, commodity prices, and potential supply chain disruptions.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies and ethical standards.
• Prepare regular reports on purchasing activities, costs, and supplier performance.
• Collaborate with quality control and production teams to ensure material specifications are met.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing, with a focus on raw materials or industrial supplies.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, negotiation techniques, and supply chain principles.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with an ERP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is highly desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with suppliers.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy.
• A relevant diploma or degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Must be able to work on-site in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund
• Opportunities for career growth within a leading manufacturing company
• A stable working environment

This role provides a direct impact on production efficiency and offers valuable experience in raw material procurement in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA.