Purchasing Officer

Role intent: The Purchasing Officer plays a critical role in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of raw materials, consumable goods, Maintenance, Repairs and Operations (MRO), crtical spares and services essential for the production process.

• It involves proactive communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to meet operational and financial objectives.
• Responsible for optimal onsite Inventory stock holding from both a financial and operational perspective
• Manage and execute buying process for all buying transactions (on and off contract)
• Manages expediting activities
• Ensure governance and compliance to procurement controls and standards
• Accountable for effective procurement and continuous optimization
• Ensure that all purchase requests are vetted against the catalogue and that sub-groups are assigned and initiate end-user application for new MID’s
• Vendor onboarding and masterdata management
• Provide support and coaching to end-users – accountable for end-user procurement capability, onboarding, system’s access, etc.
• Adhere to safety and quality standards and promote world class practices

Requirement and experience: Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, or similar) are highly advantageous.

Experience

• Aminimumof5yearsinprocurement,preferablyinaproductionor manufacturing setting.
• Experience in supplier negotiations, cost management, and inventory optimisation.
• Proven ability to handle large procurement budgets and manage multiple procurement projects simultaneously.
• ExperiencewillSAGE/ORACLEadvantage

Procurement Operations

• Adopt Group defined procurement strategies aligned with organisational objectives and production demands.
• Liaise with production and inventory teams to forecast material requirements.
• Leverage Illovo identified suppliers and materials to improve quality and reduce costs.
• Issue, manage, and track purchase orders (POs) to ensure timely and accurate delivery.
• Resolve issues related to incomplete, damaged, or delayed deliveries.

Inventory and Stock Control

• Work closely with inventory teams to ensure stock levels align with production requirements.
• Develop and implement stock optimisation strategies, minimising stockouts and excess inventory.
• Conduct periodic reviews of inventory turnover to identify and address inefficiencies.

Market and Cost Analysis

• Conduct market research to stay updated on raw material prices, trends, and supplier capabilities.
• Analyse procurement data to identify cost-saving opportunities and propose strategies to Group Procurement and management.
• Benchmark pricing and terms against industry standards to ensure competitiveness.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical practices, and industry regulations.
• Monitor and manage risks in the supply chain, including potential disruptions, price fluctuations, and supplier insolvencies.
• Maintain accurate procurement records for audits and reporting purposes.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in or lead projects aimed at improving procurement processes, tools, and systems.
• Identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements to enhance performance.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies in procurement, such as AI or predictive analytics, and propose adoption where beneficial.