We have exciting opportunities available for a Technical Buyers to be based in Umhlanga, Durban. The Technical Buyer is responsible for managing all special purchasing within the manufacturing and retail businesses. The incumbent should be experienced in purchasing goods, materials and services to ensure that the company operational needs are met, considering price, quality and delivery and to ensure continuity of supply. Provide support to the Operations Manager. Minimum requirements: Previous experience of working in a purchasing team preferably within a manufacturing environment Good knowledge of purchasing, negotiation, commercial understanding and cost breakdown Minimum 3 years experience with international procurement Advantageous: Relevant degree / diploma (business / commercial / procurement) An understanding of the manufacturing process and related components Responsibilities: Financial metrics Purchase goods, materials, components, or services in line with specified cost, quality, and delivery targets. Source and negotiate with suppliers both locally and internationally. Oversee process for international procurement or logistics by communicating with the freights forwarders. Support the purchasing function and other relevant departments and communicate any supply problems which may impact on business operations. Act as an interface between suppliers and other relevant departments on purchasing processes, new projects and other activities. Monitor and advise on any issues which present risk or opportunity to the organization. Monitor market trends, competitor strategies and market suppliers. Provide analysis on costs, new and existing and review cost reduction activities. Negotiate favorable payment terms. Prepare reports and updates as and when required. Work closely with others in the procurement function and review opportunities for continuous improvement and business improvements. Adhere to any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of self, staff and visitors. Negotiate contracts, improve prices and terms of business with suppliers and review opportunities to make business savings utilizing negotiation and procurement best practice tools and methods. Prepare and raise purchase orders and order schedules. Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships and keep up good communications. Ensure that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships. Ensure compliance to company guidelines, purchasing policies and during supplier negotiations and contracts award process. Conduct research for new components and suppliers. Compile data relating to supplier performance to enable evaluation. Assess and evaluate suppliers and contribute to performance reviews to ensure contract compliance. Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery, or invoice issues. Source BEE empowered suppliers that have a BEE score as predetermined by the companys BEE strategy. Ensure that suppliers who can deliver nationally are engaged where appropriate and feasible to reduce transport costs. People Able to build and maintain effective and productive relationships with team members, stakeholders, and suppliers. Good communication, negotiation, interpersonal and influential skills. Analytical, numerically astute with strong demonstrated problem-solving abilities. Able to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks and achieve set targets. Commercial and financial awareness with a full understanding of how failure impacts the production and customer order fulfilment. Able to work well under pressure and handle emergency and stressful situations. Keen attention to detail and accuracy. Compliance, risk and quality Creating, maintaining and enforcing company policies and procedures. Compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Intense focus on providing stock control / buying with accurate customer specifications. Maintenance of department process write-ups / system descriptions and quarterly updating. Ensure logical saving of all work, templates, etc. monthly and yearly such that each years financial records can stand on its own when enquiries / investigations / audits take place. Produce high quality, neat, logical, succinct, easy to follow, easy to understand, formula linked work / templates / workbooks / financial models - of which is substantiated by facts with no numbers in the formulas. Ensure the above (final version) and other documents are chronologically saved / backed up. Effectively deal with internal, external, SARS and BEE auditors. Growth and new markets/products Customer and supplier relationship management. Assist with company projects or lead company projects if specific to stock control. Automation and management of the ordering process using Pastel / HIS / Websites. Skills and competencies: Good communication and interpersonal skills. Strong attention to detail. Must be result-driven. Ability to manage multiple projects. Team player and ability to show initiative at all times. Ability to work under pressure and still produce quality results timeously. Please be advised that should you not be contacted within 30 days, kindly consider your application to be unsuccessful.
