Purchasing Officer - Raw Materials

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid and provident fund

Training and development opportunities

Stability and growth within FMCG

Standard annual leave

Company benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Purchasing Officer to manage raw materials procurement for a fast-moving consumer goods manufacturer in Soweto, Gauteng. The role focuses on securing quality materials, optimizing costs, and maintaining strong supplier relationships to support production targets.

The ideal candidate will have 1–3 years of purchasing experience in FMCG or manufacturing, with strong negotiation, Excel and ERP skills and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management or Business Administration.
• 1–3 years of purchasing or procurement experience.
• Familiarity with raw material sourcing and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day purchasing of raw materials and packaging supplies.
• Source and evaluate potential suppliers for quality, reliability and pricing.
• Negotiate favorable terms, pricing and delivery schedules with suppliers.
• Process purchase requisitions and issue purchase orders accurately and promptly.
• Monitor inventory levels of raw materials and coordinate with production planning for availability.
• Maintain records of purchases, supplier contracts and pricing agreements.
• Ensure materials meet quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with quality control, production and logistics teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Track supplier performance and address discrepancies.
• Assist in forecasting raw material needs based on production schedules and sales forecasts.

Skills

Negotiation

Excel proficiency

ERP system experience

Attention to detail

Education

Supply Chain/Operations/Business Admin qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, is seeking a dedicated Purchasing Officer to manage the procurement of raw materials for their manufacturing facility in Soweto, Gauteng. This role is essential for ensuring a consistent supply of high‑quality raw materials to meet production demands, while optimizing costs and maintaining strong supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will be detail‑oriented, possess good negotiation skills, and have a solid understanding of procurement processes within an FMCG context.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day‑to‑day purchasing of raw materials and packaging supplies.
• Source and evaluate potential suppliers to ensure quality, reliability, and competitive pricing.
• Negotiate favorable terms, pricing, and delivery schedules with suppliers.
• Process purchase requisitions and issue purchase orders accurately and promptly.
• Monitor inventory levels of raw materials and coordinate with production planning to ensure availability.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, supplier contracts, and pricing agreements.
• Ensure all procured materials meet the specified quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with quality control, production, and logistics teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Track supplier performance and address any issues or discrepancies.
• Assist in forecasting raw material needs based on production schedules and sales forecasts.

Requirements

• A relevant qualification in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or Business Administration.
• 1‑3 years of experience in purchasing or procurement, preferably within the FMCG or manufacturing sector.
• Familiarity with raw material sourcing and inventory management principles.
• Good negotiation and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Experience with ERP systems is highly desirable.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Medical aid and provident fund benefits.
• Opportunities for training and professional development within the FMCG sector.
• A stable and reputable company with growth opportunities.
• Standard annual leave and company benefits.