Buyer Position – PE Chemicals
PE Chemicals Cape Town is looking for a reliable, organised, and detail-driven Buyer to join our team. The successful candidate will assist with sourcing products, obtaining pricing, placing orders, liaising with suppliers, and ensuring that purchasing is handled efficiently and accurately.
This is a great opportunity for someone who works well under pressure, communicates clearly, and takes pride in keeping operations running smoothly.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
-Overall responsibility for end-to-end local procurement administration and stock integrity controls for chemicals, packaging, raw materials and ingredients.
-Create accurate and timely Purchase Orders (POs) aligned to procurement schedules and forecast needs; confirm all orders within 24 hours and maintain updated ETAs.
-Proactively expedite and follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery; escalate delays, shortages, non-conformances or quality concerns.
-Maintain daily supplier communication; keep supplier contact lists, pricing files and quote records up to date and audit ready.
-Support competitive pricing by sourcing multiple quotes where applicable; track price fluctuations and identify cost-saving opportunities; flag price increases/anomalies for approval. The candidate is encouraged to work closely with the Imports Buyer to make informed pricing decisions.
-Coordinate with the warehouse to ensure timely and accurate GRV processing; match GRVs to POs and supplier invoices and resolve discrepancies promptly.
-Monitor stockholding and movements; alert management to overstock, stockout, lead-time and expiry risks; compare forecast vs actual usage and recommend adjustments.
- Maintain 100% accurate procurement and stock data across trackers/ERP; ensure POs, quotes, GRVs, invoices, adjustments and compliance documentation are correctly filed.
-Support stock optimisation by identifying slow-moving and expiry-risk stock and initiating corrective actions with operations and sales.
- Support stocktake governance: plan and prepare stocktakes, assist with counts, investigate variances, document root causes and implement corrective actions.
-Vendor performance tracking: log supplier performance issues, late deliveries and non-conformances; support supplier reviews and performance scoring.
-Support compliance documentation by requesting, receiving and filing supplier CoA/CoC/specifications where applicable; maintain traceability and audit readiness.
-Internal collaboration: work daily with warehouse, planning and finance teams; participate in procurement and stock planning meetings including the imports buyer; provide documentation for invoice/credit note dispute resolution.
PROCUREMENT & STOCK CONTROL CADENCE (OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST)
Daily
- Issue/confirm POs and update ETAs.
- Supplier follow-up on open orders and delivery commitments; escalate critical delays.
- Coordinate receiving priorities and ensure GRVs are processed timeously.
- Update trackers/ERP and file documentation (POs, quotes, delivery notes).
Weekly
- Review open orders, late deliveries and critical stock risks; communicate actions.
- Reconcile GRVs vs POs/invoices and close out discrepancies.
- Update pricing files and maintain quote records; highlight price movements.
- Participate in procurement/stock planning meeting and provide status updates.
Monthly
- Support stocktake planning/execution and variance investigations; implement corrective actions.
- Identify slow-moving and expiry risk stock and propose action plans.
- Prepare supplier performance notes and cost-saving opportunities for management review.
- Documentation compliance review: CoA/CoC/specifications completeness and filing.
SELF MANAGEMENT
- Comply with Health, Safety and Environmental policies and ensure safe practices are followed in receiving, storage and handling activities.
- Be assertive, resilient and solution focused; work under pressure and meet set deadlines.
- Maintain confidentiality and protect company information, supplier terms and pricing.
- Maintain professional communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders; collaborate effectively across functions.
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
- Strong attention to accuracy and detail in ordering, GRVs and data capture.
- Strong communication, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
- Analytical and numerically astute with problem-solving ability.
- Ability to manage time effectively, prioritise tasks and meet service requirements.
- Understanding of how failures in one area impact the broader business; proactive risk identification.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE LEVELS
- Matric/High School Certificate, or similar certified qualification.
- Diploma or degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics or related field (beneficial).
- 1–3 years’ experience in purchasing and/or stock control within distribution, manufacturing, FMCG, chemicals or related environment (preferred).
- Competent in Microsoft Excel; experience with Pastel or similar ERP/accounting systems will be advantageous.
- Understanding of supplier documentation and basic quality/food safety documentation principles will be advantageous.
Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process. We wish all applicants the very best and thank you for considering PE Chemicals as your next career opportunity.
Pay: From R25 000,00 per month
Education:
- High School (matric) (Required)
Work Location: In person
