Assistant Manager jobs in South Africa

Purchasing Assistant Manager plays a crucial role in the procurement process of a business. He/She shall plan, select, and source channels material goods and/or equipment and services for sale in chain stores while securing the least cost at maximum service and support (both technical and marketing) from its suppliers. They work closely with the Purchasing Manager and other team members to ensure the smooth operation of the purchasing department.

• Assisting the purchasing manager in overseeing the procurement process, including vendor selection, negotiation, and order placement.
• Understand customer demand (price, quality and availability) - conducts market and price surveys, analyzing sales trends, buying patterns, price movements, product introductions/innovations and reacting to changes in demand integral to the planning and selection of product assortment.
• Assisting the Purchasing Manager in developing and implementing purchasing policies, procedures, and strategies to maximize efficiency and minimize costs.
• Evaluating vendors and suppliers to identify the best options based on quality, price, delivery time, and service.
• Negotiating contracts and agreements with vendors and suppliers to secure the best terms and conditions for the company.
• Analyzing market trends and identifying new products, services, and suppliers that can improve the company's supply chain performance.
• Initiates and implements the development and sourcing of house brands or specialty brands that will serve as differentiator of the stores offering and enhance the business profitability.
• Supplier development and relationship management including contracts negotiation and maximizing supplier terms.
• Defines and oversees the procure-to-pay (or purchasing and vendor management) processes of channels.
• Monitors inventory turnover and collaborates with retail marketing to ensure movement of products procured thereby influencing cash flow management.
• Supplier development and management to secure the best prices, terms and support

• Establish and implement selection processes and reordering system, initiate the ordering and movement of goods from the supplier to stores warehouses or retail outlets ensuring that these are delivered on time and of the right quantity and quality ensuring compliances with company policies and procedures,
• Takes the lead in coordinating with relevant units within the team to ensure upload of product information, description and cost into the POS system as well as the delivery of the same to the retail sites or branches,
• Responsible for the strict monitoring and implementation as well as improvement of documentation and approval processes from ordering to delivery to payment of goods and services procured,
• Any other assignment that may be given by the Global Purchasing Head and/or Purchasing Manager

• Graduate of Bachelors Degree Business - related courses or relevant.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in retail merchandising, handling modern trade or store chain is a must.

• Strong background in category and vendor management.
• Extensive expertise on negotiation and assortment planning.
• Background in Household, Hardware, Electronics, FMCG is advantage both outright and concessionaire/consignment.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel for data analysis and record-keeping).
• Knowledge of general sales and market trends in the industry.

• Good written and verbal communications, English skills is a must.
• Target-driven and achievement-oriented
• Ability to work in a multicultural team
• Proactive outlook: hands-on can-do mentality, flexible, not a nine to six approach
• Amenable to work in Eastwood effective February 2026