Position Title
Technical Buyer
Department
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Reporting To
Purchasing Manager / Procurement Manager
Location
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Employment Type
Permanent
POSITION PURPOSE
The Technical Buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and expediting engineering spares, technical equipment, maintenance materials, production consumables, and specialised services required to support the continuous operation of the steel manufacturing plant.
The incumbent will work closely with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Stores, and Finance departments to ensure the timely procurement of quality products and services at competitive prices while maintaining optimal inventory levels and supplier performance.
The role requires strong technical knowledge, commercial acumen, and the ability to interpret engineering specifications and technical drawings.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Procurement and Sourcing
- Source and procure engineering spares, electrical components, mechanical equipment, tools, consumables, and technical services.
- Obtain and evaluate quotations from approved suppliers.
- Prepare and process purchase orders in accordance with company procurement policies.
- Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, warranties, and commercial terms.
- Ensure timely procurement of critical production and maintenance requirements.
- Identify alternative suppliers and products to reduce costs and improve supply continuity.
Technical Purchasing
- Interpret engineering specifications, technical drawings, bills of materials, and equipment manuals.
- Verify technical requirements with engineering and maintenance departments before placing orders.
- Ensure purchased items meet required technical and quality standards.
- Source replacement parts for plant equipment and machinery.
- Liaise with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and specialised suppliers.
- Assist in identifying equivalent or substitute products where appropriate.
Supplier Management
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Conduct supplier evaluations and performance reviews.
- Monitor supplier delivery performance and quality standards.
- Resolve supplier-related issues including delays, quality concerns, and non-conformances.
- Support supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives.
Inventory and Materials Management
- Work closely with Stores personnel to monitor stock levels.
- Assist in maintaining minimum and maximum stock levels for critical spare parts.
- Identify opportunities to reduce excess inventory and obsolete stock.
- Support inventory optimisation and materials planning initiatives.
- Participate in annual stock-taking and inventory verification processes.
Cost Management
- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or operational requirements.
- Conduct market research and benchmarking exercises.
- Support annual budgeting processes for maintenance and engineering procurement.
- Monitor purchasing trends and expenditure.
- Assist in achieving procurement cost reduction targets.
Expediting and Order Management
- Monitor outstanding purchase orders and delivery schedules.
- Expedite urgent orders to prevent production interruptions.
- Communicate delivery updates to relevant stakeholders.
- Resolve supply chain disruptions and procurement challenges promptly.
Compliance and Governance
- Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate procurement documentation and records.
- Adhere to ethical procurement standards and conflict-of-interest requirements.
- Support internal and external audits.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Reporting and Administration
- Prepare procurement reports and purchasing performance metrics.
- Maintain supplier databases and procurement records.
- Monitor procurement KPIs and supplier performance indicators.
- Generate reports on procurement savings, supplier performance, and purchasing activities.
- Assist management with procurement analysis and forecasting.
Any other duties which may be reasonable required, due to the operational requirements of the business.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 (Matric).
- National Diploma in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, or Business Management.
- CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement certification.
- Technical or engineering qualification will be advantageous.
EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 5 years' experience in technical purchasing or procurement.
- Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, mining, steel, or heavy industrial environment.
- Experience sourcing engineering spares and technical equipment.
- Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP, Syspro, Sage, Oracle, or similar.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS
The incumbent must have knowledge of:
- Procurement and sourcing principles.
- Mechanical and electrical engineering components.
- Industrial equipment and maintenance requirements.
- Inventory management systems.
- Supplier relationship management.
- Contract and commercial management.
- Steel manufacturing processes and equipment.
- Occupational Health and Safety requirements.
- South African commercial and procurement legislation.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Technical Skills
- Technical purchasing and sourcing.
- Supplier negotiation.
- Cost analysis and cost reduction.
- Interpretation of technical specifications and drawings.
- ERP systems and procurement software.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and reporting.
Behavioural Competencies
- Analytical thinking.
- Attention to detail.
- Commercial awareness.
- Problem-solving ability.
- Negotiation skills.
- Planning and organising.
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Integrity and professionalism.
- Ability to work under pressure.
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAs)
Key Performance Area
Measurement
Procurement Efficiency
Purchase order cycle times
Supplier Performance
On-time delivery and quality
Cost Savings
Annual savings achieved
Inventory Availability
Reduction in stock-outs
Procurement Compliance
Audit and policy compliance
Technical Accuracy
Correct specification procurement
Expediting Performance
Critical order fulfilment
HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Technical Buyer shall:
- Support procurement of safe and compliant equipment and materials.
- Ensure suppliers provide required safety documentation and certifications.
- Promote environmentally responsible procurement practices.
- Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety requirements.
- Participate in safety and environmental initiatives where required.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Office-based position within a steel manufacturing environment.
- Frequent interaction with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Stores, and Finance departments.
- Regular communication with suppliers and service providers.
- Occasional travel to supplier premises, manufacturing facilities, and industry exhibitions.
- May be required to work additional hours during plant shutdowns, breakdowns, or critical procurement activities.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
- Engineering Department
- Maintenance Department
- Production Department
- Stores and Warehouse
- Finance Department
- Health and Safety Department
External
- Suppliers and Manufacturers
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
- Service Providers and Contractors
- Logistics Providers
SUCCESSION PATH
This position may progress to:
- Senior Technical Buyer
- Procurement Specialist
- Purchasing Manager
- Procurement Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
Pay: R25 000,00 - R30 000,00 per month
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a National Diploma in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Work Location: In person
