Buyer at South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Introduction

• Provides an effective, efficient, fair, competitive and transparent buying service to the organisation, and in addition coordinates and controls the purchasing/procurement function on the SAP system to ensure effective cost control.

Job description

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

KPA 1: Provides An Effective Fair, Competitive And Transparent Procurement/ Buying Service To The Organisation

KPI

• Negotiate and conclude supply/maintenance price update with suppliers by requesting new price proposal from suppliers/ vendors.
• Review schedule/contract agreements timeously according to negotiated review dates submitted by tender/contract office.
• Procure goods and services that meet user requirements and the agreed organizational service level and standard on time and ensure contractual obligations are met in full in terms of price, quality and timing.
• Draw up of Request for Proposal for submission to vendor by creating RFQ on SAP based on user specification and evaluate for recommendation all low risk transactions as allocated by the Business Partner, irrespective of the value.
• Obtain and analyse quotes per purchase orders depending on the nature and value of the material or service and run price comparison and maintain Quotation processing on SAP.
• Administer Orders in SAP by placing orders locally, nationally and internationally and ensuring expedition thereof by ensuring that goods and services received comply with order specifications.
• Adhere to company procedures, authority levels when purchasing and contract terms, by obtaining correct approval and affording special attention to high value/strategic items and products and prioritization thereof with respect to quality control specifications.
• Generate orders as specified from SAP Materials Requirement Planning reports and liaise with stores to ensure timeous stock turn-over.
• Monitor supplier price adjustments to ensure it is within costing parameters as detailed in the contract and deal with discrepancies by managing service providers’ performance and by ensuring that they meet SANBS delivery date.
• Coordinate inbound and outbound logistics with shipping service providers for transport of Products/ material to site by contracting shipping agents to facilitate delivery of materials.
• Ensure the at all purchase orders are delivered on time and vendors reminded about their obligation by sending SAP Reminder Letters to vendors.
• Coordinate payment terms and the processing of payments to vendors with Account Payable Division on a daily basis to ensure timeous payment of vendors.

KPA 2: Facilitates Submission Of Samples To QA To Ensure Conformance To SANBS Quality
Requirements In The Buying Process

KPI

• Ensure that all samples required for QA (during buying process and/or performance testing) are timeously submitted to Quality Department for testing and reports are filed in the vendor files.
• Communicate the result of QA testing with relevant vendors to provide feedback and recommendations.
• Assist the appointed vendors to register on SANBS vendor database once quality standards are met.
• Ensure that product non-conformances are managed in accordance with the SANBS Quality processes.

KPA 3: Ensures Effective Sourcing And Selection Of Vendors To Achieve Optimum Total Cost,

Quality And Service Solutions In Terms Of SANBS Requirements

KPI

• Conduct inspections of the proposed vendor’s premises to ensure that are in existence by undertaking site visits.
• Select service providers from SANBS Supplier Database based on the price, quality, service, functionality and performance in terms of BBBEE.
• Consult with contract management office regarding restricted service provider’s performance prior to awards of contracts and purchase orders. If necessary, reallocate and rotate supplier contracts.
• Actively participate in supporting and developing of accredited SMME’s and BBBEE companies through providing guidance, and assistance and arranging for visits to vendors.
• Keep abreast of trends and technical developments in the procurement function by attending relevant workshops, seminars and demonstrations on related products and supplier exhibitions and presentations.
• Undertake related assignments and ad-hoc feasibility studies on latest products on the market.
• Analyse price behaviour and forecast price/usage to optimize spending pattern by comparing proposals from suppliers.
• Identify potential synergies across businesses regarding suppliers and specifications. By communicating with internal departments to update the business on a potential product availability and suitability.

KPA 4: Ensure Sound Relationships Are Maintained Between Service Providers And SANBS

Departments And Zones

KPI

• Attend to issues pertaining to supply deadlines and payment terms by ensuring that Purchase Orders are corrected on SAP and that relevant stakeholders will be informed (supplier/user department. Communicate with suppliers and shipping agents on imports (documentation, berth dates and times), by contacting suppliers on delivery dates and times.
• Make recommendations on best purchase options in relation to price, quality and service and identify potential problems and take appropriate action by reviewing and investigating alternatives processes. Evaluate suppliers and recommend suppliers.
• Collaborate between User/Cross Functional Team, Quality Department, and Enterprise Risk Management to reduce total organizational risk internal & external to obtain expert advice on specifications.

COMPETENCY

Cognitive

• Analytical Thinking and Attention to Detail
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Problem Solving
• Planning, organising and monitoring

Personal

• Ethical behaviour
• Drive and Belief in the Cause
• Excellence Orientation

Interpersonal

• Customer Service Orientation
• Relationship Building Skills
• Teamwork
• Communication. Persuasiveness/ Selling Skills

Business and Financial Acumen

Technical Skills/Competence:

• Contract Management Skills.
• Computer Literacy
• Administrative Skills.
•  Buying.

Minimum requirements

Education

• Diploma in Supply Chain, Purchasing or related.

Experience and knowledge requirements

• 3 Years Purchasing/ Logistics/ Procurement experience in a structured Purchasing environment.
• SAP Procurement experience (Ideal requirement).

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

• Overtime as and when required.
• Driver’s License.
• Computer Literacy.

Apply by: 15 July 2026