Senior Supply Chain Specialist

SET Recruitment Consultants; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

SET Recruitment Consultants is seeking a Senior Supply Chain Specialist for a renewable energy business in South Africa. You will own strategic and operational procurement, drive supplier management, logistics, and contract negotiations across SA and internationally.

You will lead RFQs, commercial evaluations, and framework agreements, while coordinating with stakeholders to optimize cost, quality and delivery for wind and solar PV assets.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Finance, Law or Project Management or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in procurement or supply chain in renewables.
• Experience supporting operational renewable energy assets, wind and solar PV.
• Strong ability to negotiate supply, service and commercial agreements.
• Knowledge of international procurement and import/export processes.
• Understanding of South Africa's local content and B-BBEE requirements.
• ERP experience and strong Microsoft Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Execute the annual procurement plan and meet departmental KPIs.
• Manage RFQ and tender processes for equipment, materials and services.
• Prepare commercial evaluations and supplier comparisons.
• Lead negotiations and secure favorable pricing and terms.
• Prepare purchase orders, supply/service agreements and renewals.
• Develop framework agreements for spare parts and maintenance services.
• Manage supplier relationships and onboarding of new suppliers.
• Support local suppliers and outsourced procurement activities.
• Coordinate import/export logistics and stock transfers.
• Maintain supplier databases and procurement reporting.

Skills

Negotiation

Procurement

Logistics management

Stakeholder engagement

ERP systems

Education

Undergraduate degree in Engineering/Finance/Law/PM

Tools

SAP

Job description

Senior Supply Chain Specialist | Renewable Energy

South Africa

We are recruiting for an experienced Senior Supply Chain Specialist to join an established renewable energy business supporting its operational assets across South Africa.

This is a senior, hands‑on procurement and supply chain opportunity for someone with strong experience in the renewable energy sector, particularly across wind and solar PV operations. The successful candidate will take ownership of strategic and operational procurement activities, supplier management, logistics, contract negotiations and materials planning, while working closely with local and international stakeholders.

The Role

The Senior Supply Chain Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the efficient procurement and supply of equipment, materials and services required by the business, securing the best possible commercial outcomes across cost, quality, safety and delivery.

You will play a key role in supporting operational renewable energy assets while coordinating across multiple business functions in South Africa and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute the annual procurement plan and ensure departmental KPIs are achieved.
• Manage RFQ and tender processes for equipment, materials and services.
• Prepare detailed commercial evaluations and supplier comparisons.
• Lead commercial negotiations and secure competitive pricing, contractual terms and service conditions.
• Prepare purchase orders, supply agreements, service agreements, contract amendments, renewals and terminations.
• Develop framework agreements for spare parts, maintenance services and other operational requirements.
• Provide commercial recommendations for contract and supplier awards, taking cost, quality and delivery schedules into consideration.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships, including identifying and onboarding new suppliers.
• Support the development of local suppliers, particularly for repair and maintenance services.
• Manage operational procurement activities undertaken through outsourced/BPO service providers.
• Negotiate credit facilities and commercial arrangements with strategic suppliers.
• Support compliance with Economic Development, local content and B-BBEE commitments associated with operational renewable energy assets.
• Manage warranty-related procurement activities, including purchase orders, expediting and warranty claims registers.
• Lead materials requirements planning (MRP) for planned and corrective maintenance activities.
• Coordinate the movement of materials between central and operational warehouses.
• Manage logistics associated with local procurement, imports, exports and stock transfers.
• Liaise with customs brokers, freight providers, transporters, suppliers and warehouse teams to ensure materials arrive within required timelines.
• Maintain supplier databases and prepare procurement and supply chain reporting.
• Support internal and external audits and participate in broader supply chain projects as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering, Finance, Law, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' experience within procurement or broader supply chain disciplines in the renewable energy industry.
• Demonstrable experience supporting operational renewable energy assets.
• Essential experience across wind and solar PV technologies.
• Strong experience negotiating supply, service and commercial agreements.
• Sound understanding of international procurement, particularly import and export processes.
• Good understanding of South African local content, Economic Development and B-BBEE requirements.
• Strong financial acumen and working knowledge of commercial and contractual principles.
• Experience working with ERP systems; SAP experience would be advantageous.
• Strong Microsoft Office capability.

The Ideal Candidate

You are commercially astute, proactive and comfortable taking ownership of procurement activities from requirement through to delivery. You bring a strong sense of urgency, excellent negotiating ability and the confidence to engage with suppliers, operational teams and senior stakeholders.

You should be:

• Results-driven and solutions-focused.
• A confident negotiator and communicator.
• Able to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced operational environment.
• An effective problem solver with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Fluent in English.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's licence.
• Willingness to travel within South Africa, Sub‑Saharan Africa and internationally from time to time.

If you are an experienced renewable energy procurement and supply chain professional with exposure to wind and solar PV operations, this is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior role supporting a growing portfolio of operational assets.