Key Performance Areas (Core, essential responsibilities outputs of the position): Demand Planning: Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop an accurate demand forecast for products and materials. Analyse historical sales data, market trends, and customer demand patterns, lead times and manufacturing minimum order quantities (MOQs) to inform the demand forecasting models. Adjust procurement plans based on demand fluctuations to optimize inventory levels and minimize stockouts or excess inventory. Monitor inventory levels of finished products to ensure alignment with demand forecasts and production schedules. Identify potential inventory shortages or excesses and communicate with stakeholders to address inventory discrepancies. Procurement Coordination and Import Tracking: Collaborate with suppliers to place orders, expedite deliveries, and manage lead times to ensure timely receipt of products while minimizing excess inventory and stockouts. Communicate regularly with suppliers to obtain updates on order status including planned manufacturing dates, on-time dispatching and submission of importation paperwork for customs. Resolve issues and address any supply chain disruptions that may impact demand planning. Coordinate with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers to track shipments and resolve any issues related to customs clearance, transportation delays, or documentation requirements. Communicate and with internal stakeholders to provide updates on import status and anticipated delivery dates. Coordinate and communicate with warehouse receiving staff and logistics providers to ensure stock is received on-time with the correct paperwork Supplier Performance Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers. Communicate regularly with suppliers to obtain updates on order status, resolve issues, and address any supply chain disruptions that may impact demand planning. Track supplier performance metrics, including on-time manufacturing, on-time dispatching and lead times to assess supplier performance. Identify and escalate any issues or discrepancies related to supplier shipments, ensuring adherence to agreed-upon manufacturing and delivery schedules. Collaborate with suppliers to implement corrective actions and process improvements to enhance supply chain efficiency and reliability. Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes, improve demand forecasting accuracy, and optimize inventory management practices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and drive operational efficiency in demand planning and procurement activities. Documentation: Ensure compliance with all the relevant requirements and documentation related to product importation, customs clearance, and transportation. Maintain accurate records of all supplier communications and meeting minutes. Minimum Requirements: Matric (Maths Higher Grade, Accounting). Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, Finance, or a related field. 3-5 years supply chain/procurement experience. Experience using demand planning software, ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting.
