Job Description

Our client in the Industrial Automation sector is looking for a Project Buyer based in the Lephalale, Limpopo. This is an onsite role and candidates will be responsible for efficiently executing operational and tactical purchasing processes in alignment with the given budget. Your primary focus will be to secure the supply of materials based on customer requirements at the lowest price, ensuring quality and on-time delivery (Total Cost of Ownership). Additionally, you will contribute to the implementation and ensure the usage of globally defined methods, processes, and systems to ensure high process efficiency and compliance.

Key tasks:

Purchasing of goods & services by:

• Assessing assigned purchase requests to ensure clear/logic descriptions, specifications, requested lead times.
• Identifying opportunities for company
• Researching and selecting a reliable suppliers guided by company Supplier Selection Guidelines.
• Support Supplier Management processes (e.g. qualification, selection, evaluation, development, classification); update supplier evaluation systems to obtain and develop the best suppliers and ensure transparency and high procurement quality.
• Evaluating process options and selecting the most appropriate procurement market approach.
• Identifying financial and contractual risks ie forex, hedging and performance guarantees.
• Formulating and issuing RFQ’s using company approved eTools (SAP Ariba, company Exchange)
• Co-ordinating and leading RFQ evaluations
• Purchasing to comply with the requirements in terms of B-BBEE
• Communicating & Promoting company Safety Requirements to Suppliers

Evaluation of RFQ’s by:

• Evaluating RFQ’s financially, commercially, legally and technically, and co-ordinate inputs from specialists.
• Compiling evaluation report.
• Identifying and recommending negotiation opportunities.
• Presenting evaluation report to the stakeholders, clarifying and substantiating criteria in support of the recommendation
• Taking accountability for decisions to comply with company Procurement Policy and ethical principles.
• Creation of Purchase Orders on SAP.
• Ensuring Governance & Transparency.
• Cost Analysis and Optimization

 Negotiations:

• Identifying negotiation opportunities i.e. Cost benefits, terms and conditions.
• Researching and benchmarking options.
• Collaborating in a Cross-functional Team in negotiations
• Ensuring proper negotiation preparation and role clarity within the negotiation team.
• Prepare and conduct negotiations for medium Purchasing Volumes to obtain highest feasible savings.

Manages Purchase Orders by:

• Administering forex and hedging exposure.
• Resolving issues with suppliers
• Monitoring contractual progress.
• Controlling contract modifications and deviations
• Expediting deliveries
• Maintaining ethical customer & supplier relationships.
• Visiting suppliers and factories to enhance business relationships.
• Updating customer on progress.
• Measuring own performance against KPI’s and customer need.
• Securing an accurate audit trail.
• Participating in Supplier & Enterprise Development efforts

 Ensures effective procurement by:

• Upholding Procurement policies and procedures.
• Upholding ethical and positive relationship with external supplier base.

Qualifications and experience:

• Diploma in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management (CIPS certification is an advantage).
• Minimum 5 years of procurement experience, with proven experience in procurement within the Engineering, Projects, Industrial Services, or Manufacturing sector.
• Business principles, negotiation skills in procurement, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making.
• Purchasing calculations, communication, and collaboration skills, along with procurement concepts and eSourcing and usage of eTools.
• Familiarity with foreign exchange applications, new engineering contracts, and evaluation of RFQs, as well as adaptability and flexibility, and a sense of responsibility and accountability.