Remote Senior Buyer - Global Sourcing

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Home office setup allowance

Remote collaboration tools

Competitive salary

Global exposure

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Buyer to manage international procurement remotely, supporting Richards Bay and surrounding regions. You will develop and execute sophisticated sourcing strategies for raw materials, negotiate high-value contracts, and drive cost savings while ensuring supply chain continuity from a home office.

A Master's in SCM or related field plus 5–7 years of international procurement is preferred.

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred in SCM, Intl Business, or related field.
• 5–7 years in international procurement and strategic sourcing.
• Experience managing complex global supply chains and contracts.
• Solid understanding of global trade regulations, tariffs, and logistics.
• Strong data analysis and financial modeling skills.
• Excellent English communication and negotiation abilities.
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle/SAP) and procurement software.

Responsibilities

• Lead global sourcing strategy development to optimize cost, quality, and delivery.
• Manage relationships with international suppliers, including performance evaluation and contract negotiation.
• Analyze global commodity trends and assess risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and production on material requirements and specs.
• Drive continuous improvement in the global supply chain to reduce lead times.
• Oversee procurement from requisition to payment, ensuring policy compliance.
• Prepare reports on spend, supplier performance, and sourcing activities for senior management.
• Utilize procurement technologies and data analytics for strategic decisions.
• Implement robust risk management strategies for international suppliers.
• Mentor remote procurement team members as needed.

Skills

Negotiation

Data analysis

English proficiency

Communication

Cross-cultural collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Oracle ERP

SAP ERP

Procurement software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a globally recognized leader in manufacturing and requires a highly experienced Senior Buyer to manage its international procurement operations remotely. This pivotal role, based virtually and supporting the **Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal** region's needs, will focus on developing and executing sophisticated sourcing strategies for a wide array of raw materials and components. As a remote-first position, you will leverage advanced digital communication tools to collaborate effectively with a global network of suppliers and internal teams. This is a unique opportunity to drive significant cost savings and ensure supply chain continuity from the comfort of your own home office. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of global markets, exceptional negotiation prowess, and a proven ability to manage complex international supplier relationships. If you are a results-oriented procurement professional seeking a fully remote role with substantial impact, this is the position for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of global sourcing strategies to optimize cost, quality, and delivery of materials.
• Manage relationships with international suppliers, including performance evaluation, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis of global commodity trends and identify potential risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, engineering, and production teams to ensure alignment on material requirements and specifications.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the global supply chain to enhance efficiency and reduce lead times.
• Oversee the procurement process from requisition to payment, ensuring compliance with company policies and ethical standards.
• Prepare detailed reports on global sourcing activities, spend analysis, and supplier performance for senior management.
• Utilize advanced procurement technologies and data analytics to support strategic decision-making.
• Ensure robust supply chain risk management strategies are in place for all international suppliers.
• Mentor and guide junior members of the remote procurement team as needed.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in international procurement and strategic sourcing.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex global supply chains and negotiating high-value international contracts.
• Exceptional understanding of global trade regulations, tariffs, and logistics.
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in data analysis and financial modeling.
• Excellent command of English, both written and verbal, with superior negotiation and communication abilities.
• Proficiency in global ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP) and procurement software.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fully remote work environment, demonstrating exceptional self-management and communication skills.
• Experience with direct materials procurement in a manufacturing setting is highly desirable.
• Ability to work effectively across different time zones and cultural contexts.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience and remote work designation.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage and retirement savings plan.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Allowance for home office setup and continuous professional development.
• Direct impact on global supply chain strategies of a leading industry player.
• Access to state-of-the-art remote collaboration tools and technologies.
• Opportunity to work with a diverse and international team.