Buyer at Saint-Gobain

Job description

The key focus of this role is to contribute to the achievement of competitive advantage through the negotiation of commercial terms for goods and services for a designated portfolio of the company’s expenditure, whilst mitigating risk and exceeding stakeholder requirements.

Key Accountabilities

• Support the Company’s common goals and visions by working with team members, cross-functional working with other departments / functions and pro-actively participating / delivering on commitments.
• Ensure effective supply market research, business risk analysis, spend analysis and supplier management techniques are used to reflect professional purchasing best practice.
• Participate and/or lead sourcing projects. Carry out specific project work which may involve focusing on other areas of the business and interacting with internal and external points of contact as demands of the Company dictate.
• Effectively prepare for, coordinate, and conduct all critical strategic supplier negotiations.
• Develop purchasing action plan and populate PPM Tool with target vs actual savings on an annual basis.
• Manage the procurement of goods and services from approved sources (as per the assigned material group/category) consistently creating opportunities to improve the supply base by identifying and developing innovative ideas
• Apply Group Responsible Purchasing Techniques (BBBEE, Ecovadis, Timber Certificates, Intertek Audits)
• Conduct annual supplier performance management in line with group requirements and develop action plan to address poor performance.
• Assist site buyers to resolve vendor or contractors grievances and claims agains suppliers through regular SLA meetings with key suppliers.
• Adherence to and improvement of, the Company purchasing procedures and systems
• Convert purchase requisitions to purchase orders within the ERP framework (SAP).
• Ensuring prices and general information records are kept up to date.
• Daily expediting of orders placed and communication with suppliers.
• Correcting of info records on SAP for vendor selection
• Co-ordinating master data changes and communicating such to Supply Chain, including safety stock levels, lot sizes, UOM, prices, descriptions, lead times
• Assist with GR/IR clearing report on a regular basis.
• Ensure that cost saving is achieved by negotiating best prices with suppliers.
• Filing and general administrative duties in accordance with procedures.
• Resolve invoice and payment queries, as well recording and monitoring of returns and claims from suppliers.
• Managing end of year rebates and final settlements.
• Assist with supplier audits, as and when required
• Compiling monthly and periodic reports as required.
• Obtaining competitive bids and perform vendor selection
• Drafting of Contracts under supervision
• Qualifications required to fulfil the role
• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Relevant Diploma or B-Degree or MCIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply)

Specific Work Experience, Knowledge and Skills required to fulfil the role

• At least 3 years buying experience
• Ability to operate in a strategic sourcing and commodity/category management role.
• An effective commercial negotiator with a results based track record
• Clear understanding of difference between tactical and strategic purchasing
• Computer Literate (Ms-Office)
• Must have previous SAP and MRP knowledge
• Knowledge of Qlikview will be advantageous
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and timescales
• Gravitas and intellect to develop relationships at the highest level
• Good understanding of Purchasing Terms and Conditions.