Senior Buyer

Description:

Reporting to Procurement Manager
Direct reportees: Material Planners
Purpose of Position:
Service business needs through the strategic sourcing of suppliers and management of all costs associated with the production of the final product, by applying best procurement practices
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ROLE:
Strategic sourcing (Service level to orders percentage)
Managing vendor relationships
Cost Management
Identifying/implementing cost reduction opportunities
Continuously developing the procurement department
Supporting new product development initiatives
THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THIS ROLE:
Procurement Strategy and Strategic Sourcing:

Identify and source high-quality raw and finished materials within the business offering scope.
Identify and evaluate potential suppliers based on quality, price, delivery reliability, and regulatory compliance, negotiating contracts and pricing agreements.
Conduct market analysis by monitoring market trends, price fluctuations, and competitor activity to inform purchasing decisions and identify potential cost savings opportunities
Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned with company goals, including inventory management, demand forecasting, lead time optimization and risk management as part of effective procurement planning.
Monitor and report against the Service Level to Order percentages.
Collaborate with sales, marketing, production, quality assurance, and research teams to align procurement with business needs

Vendor Management:

Source vendors who have the capability and capacity to satisfy the organisations current and future needs.
Structure relationships with vendors to ensure that it remains performance-driven.
Monitor and manage the performance of vendors by establishing a structured service-level agreement.
Collaborate with vendors to identify opportunities for existing product improvement and/or new product development.
Devise short, medium and long-term supplier strategies to ensure that vendor relationships/partnerships continuously deliver value to the organisation.
Develop a scorecard to align vendor to business needs and to measure performance and drive improvement.
Ensure that the organisation is aligned with vendors that can contribute towards the organisations long-term objectives.

Cost Management:

Negotiate prices on new and existing products.
Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities independently as well as in collaboration with stakeholders.
Establish/maintain open book costing with all contract manufacturers.
Identify opportunities to establish rebate structures with contract manufacturers and suppliers.
Ensure that all cost movements are justified, recorded and reported.
Establish protocols for raw material and packaging waste at contract manufacturers.
Conduct regular benchmarks to ensure that costs remain competitive.

Best Procurement Practices:

Develop policies and procedures to ensure that best purchasing practices and compliance management are applied.
Develop strategies to ensure that procurement decisions consider the requirements of all internal stakeholders.
Develop strategies to support the organisations BBBEE objectives and corporate governance policy.

Project Management and Reporting:

Through a structured and calculated approach, manage new and existing product development projects efficiently.
Collaborate with all internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the collective knowledge is impressed on all projects.
Ensure that all projects are tracked and that desired timelines are achieved.
Track procurement metrics, generate and analyse reports to identify areas for improvement and inform strategic decisions.

Requirements:

Qualifications:
Grade 12
Bachelor's Degree and/or National Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Procurement or related field and related tertiary a related field.
A professional procurement certification (such as CIPS) will be an advantage
Experience:
Minimum of five years’ experience in procurement
Minimum of two years’ experience in a senior procurement role
Pharmaceutical, complementary, and/or food industry experience will be an advantage.
Pharmaceutical/FMCG Industry-related experience/exposure will be preferred - manufacturing of raw materials, packaging components and finished products
Knowledge:
In-depth knowledge of the best practices in supply chain, procurement and risk management is essential.
Competencies – GENERAL:
Good communication skills (verbal and written)
Good people skills
Good project management skills.
Competencies – CORE:
Application of best procurement principles
Strategic sourcing, vendor management, contract management
Cost management and control of local and imported goods
Excellent negotiation skills coupled with the ability to plan and prioritize
Ability to interpret, capture, understand and satisfy the organization’s short, medium and long-term needs
Knowledge and ability to develop and implement procurement strategies.
Personal Characteristics:
Strategic thinker
Good Analytical Skills
Strong Problem-solving and decision-making skills
Work well independently as well as in a team
Ability to cope with pressure in a fast-paced, result-driven environment