Senior Strategic Buyer: Global Chemical Sourcing Leader

Placements24; Richards Bay; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Life insurance

Professional development

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Strategic Buyer for its chemical client in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will own end-to-end strategic sourcing of raw materials, intermediates and packaging across multiple production lines.

Lead category strategies, negotiate with global suppliers, build strong partnerships, and drive cost savings while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing and QA to align specs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science or SCM field.
• Master's degree or CIPS certification is highly desirable.
• 7+ years in strategic sourcing with chemical industry exposure.
• Proven experience managing global supply chains and large contracts.
• Knowledge of chemical markets, regulations and supply dynamics.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills.
• SAP or ERP proficiency and advanced Excel capability.
• Experience with risk assessment and mitigation in supply chains.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for chemical inputs and packaging.
• Lead complex negotiations with global and local suppliers for favorable pricing and terms.
• Build and maintain relationships with strategic suppliers to ensure quality and continuity.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, risks, and sourcing opportunities.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing and QA on specs and forecasts.
• Manage procurement processes ensuring safety, environmental and regulatory compliance.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives through sourcing and process improvements.
• Develop risk management strategies to enhance supply chain resilience.
• Monitor supplier performance against contracts and KPIs, driving corrective actions.
• Provide procurement best-practice guidance and contribute to strategic direction.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Category management

Supplier relationship management

SAP

Microsoft Excel (advanced)

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Market analysis

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field

Master's degree or CIPS certification

Tools

SAP ERP

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Strategic Buyer for its chemical client in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will own end-to-end strategic sourcing of raw materials, intermediates and packaging across multiple production lines.

Lead category strategies, negotiate with global suppliers, build strong partnerships, and drive cost savings while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing and QA to align specs.