Technical Buyer (Heavy Engineering)

The Recruitment Guy (Pty) Ltd; Durban; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is searching for an experienced Technical Buyer in Durban. The ideal candidate will manage procurement lifecycles in heavy engineering, negotiate supplier agreements, and ensure operational efficiency. Candidates should possess at least 3–5 years of procurement experience and an associate degree. The position requires local residency in KwaZulu-Natal and familiarity with ERP systems. Competitive salary range of R40,000 – R50,000 per month is offered.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of specialized procurement experience.
• Demonstrable expertise in highly technical commodity purchasing.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Generate and manage purchase orders and supplier quotes.
• Evaluate material and component requirements for commodity coverage.
• Negotiate lead times, pricing, and stock levels.
• Prepare RFQs and evaluate suppliers strategically.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvements.
• Streamline supplier base while maintaining competitive options.
• Engage in supplier audits with Quality and Engineering.
• Resolve invoice and credit discrepancies.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Technical procurement expertise

Education

Associate degree or technical diploma

Tools

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)

Job description

Technical Buyer (Heavy Engineering) required in Durban.

An experienced Technical Buyer with Heavy Engineering industry experience is required for permanent employment based in KwaZulu Natal.

Lead the procurement lifecycle of specialized industrial components, with a focus on negotiating supplier agreements, managing commodity portfolios, and supporting high-value manufacturing lines.

Salary: R40 000 – R50 000 per month.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Generate and manage purchase orders, supplier quotes, and documentation to maintain system accuracy.
• Evaluate material and component requirements, ensuring coverage across commodities.
• Negotiate lead times, pricing, and stock levels to balance cost-efficiency with operational reliability.
• Prepare and send requests for quotations (RFQs); evaluate suppliers strategically.
• Monitor and report on supplier performance, partnering with cross-functional teams to drive improvements.
• Streamline the supplier base while maintaining competitive alternatives in place.
• Engage in supplier audits in collaboration with Quality and Engineering to uphold quality standards.
• Resolve invoice and credit discrepancies and compile procurement data for stakeholder reviews.

Requirements:

• Associate degree or equivalent technical diploma; or 3–5 years of specialized procurement experience.
• Demonstrable expertise in highly technical commodity purchasing, preferably in machine tools, fabrication, or industrial systems.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (like SAP, Oracle) and Lean Manufacturing processes.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Position is based in KZN, local residency required.