Buyer Junior Manager

Work Africa; East London; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in South Africa seeks a Junior Manager for Stores/Buyer in East London. Candidates should have proven experience in buying and procurement, with a distinct advantage for those with food or bakery experience. This role involves managing supplier relationships, ensuring quality and cost efficiency in procurement, and maintaining warehouse operations. Flexibility in working hours is essential as the position requires adaptability to production and delivery demands.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in buying and procurement.
• Experience in stores or warehouse management.
• Familiarity with food or bakery environments is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Protect the company from unnecessary cost increases.
• Source and evaluate suppliers for raw materials.
• Manage storeroom and warehouse operations.
• Ensure hygiene and quality standards are maintained.

Skills

Buying / procurement

Stores or warehouse management

Food or bakery environment

Strong communication in English (Verbal and written)

Strong negotiation and conflict‑handling skills

Confidence to push back on suppliers

Strong administrative and system skills (Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, reporting)

High attention to detail and cost awareness

Ability to work under pressure

Job description

STORES/BUYER JUNIOR MANAGER / EAST LONDON

This position will be based in Wilsonia. The successful Candidate must be flexible regarding working hours, due to the Industry type.

Skills & Standards Required

Proven experience in:

• Buying / procurement
• Stores or warehouse management
• Food or bakery environment (strong advantage)

• Strong communication in English (Verbal and written)
• Strong negotiation and conflict‑handling skills
• Confidence to push back on suppliers
• Strong administrative and system skills (Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, reporting)
• High attention to detail and cost awareness
• Ability to work under pressure

Responsibilities

Procurement

• Protect the company from unnecessary cost increases
• Enforce quality standards
• Source, compare, and evaluate suppliers for raw materials, especially flour
• Secure best pricing, terms, and additional value (discounts, credits, free stock), and aggressively negotiate for: Best pricing; Bulk discounts; Rebates; Free stock; Credits and replacements
• Challenge all unjustified price increases>
• Communicate daily with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, quality, and deliveries
• Monitor flour quality continuously (protein, consistency, performance)
• Reject or escalated substandard flour immediately
• Arrange free replacement stock or credits when quality standards are not met
• Place purchase orders and submit them for management approval
• Maintain supplier pricing records and update changes accurately
• Build leverage‑based supplier relationships

Stores & Inventory Management

• Take full responsibility for the storeroom and warehouse operations, maintaining accurate stock levels
• Ensure FIFO and correct stock rotation at all times
• Receive, inspect, and verify all incoming stock physically
• Capture all stock movements in the ERP system
• Conduct: Daily checks; Weekly counts; Monthly full stock counts
• Investigate and report all variances
• Dispatch production orders accurately and on time
• Ensure the warehouse is locked and secured when unattended

Systems, Data & Administration

• Create new SKUs and products on the system
• Maintain accurate item codes, descriptions, and pricing
• Capture all supplier invoices correctly and timeously
• Liaise with accounts regarding invoice discrepancies and pricing errors
• Maintain procurement, stock, and supplier records
• Analyze: Usage trends; Cost movements; Supplier performance

People, Equipment & Operations

• Allocate tasks to warehouse staff and enforce accountability
• Supervise warehouse staff and the pre‑scaling platform
• Take responsibility for: Forklift; Forklift driver; Safe operation and condition of equipment
• Ensure warehouse cleanliness, order, and discipline at all times

Compliance, Hygiene & Quality

• Maintain hygiene and food safety standards in the storeroom
• Liaise with: Health inspectors; Quality auditors; Halal inspectors
• Ensure all materials comply with regulatory and internal standards

Monthly Salary (gross)

Work Schedule & Availability

• Days: 6 days per week
• Hours: 07:00 AM – 05:30 PM (or as operationally required – NO CLOCK WATCHERS)
• Public Holidays: Required to work
• Availability: Must be flexible to meet production, supplier, and delivery demands
• Probation Period: 1 month (extendable based on performance)

Application Process

Online applications will receive preference, ensure you upload a head and shoulder photo, alternatively e‑mail CV, Recent Head & Shoulder photo and qualifications to [e-mail], use “STORESBUYEREL” as a reference in the subject field. Please deem your application as unsuccessful if you receive no feedback after 3 weeks.