Raw Material Buyer

SUMMARY:

RAW MATERIALS BUYER - MANUFACTURING
Minimum Requirement
- Diploma or Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Commerce, or a related discipline.
- Relevant CIPS or other recognised procurement qualification would be advantageous.
Experience
- Experience in purchasing/procurement within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience procuring raw materials, chemicals, industrial consumables, or production-related materials would be advantageous.
- Experience dealing with local and international suppliers.
- Exposure to ERP/MRP purchasing and materials-planning environments.

POSITION INFO:
1. Raw Material Procurement - Procure local and imported raw materials in accordance with production plans, material requirements, and approved purchasing procedures. - Convert approved requirements into purchase orders and ensure orders are placed within required lead times. - Verify pricing, quantities, specifications, delivery dates, payment terms, and other commercial conditions before order placement. - Monitor open purchase orders from placement through to delivery. - Expedite critical or overdue orders to prevent production interruptions. - Maintain appropriate purchasing documentation and records. 2. Production & Inventory Support - Work closely with Planning, Production, Stores, Quality, and other relevant functions to understand current and forecast raw material requirements. - Review material availability against production demand and identify potential shortages in advance. - Prioritise critical materials according to production requirements. - Support appropriate inventory levels while balancing continuity of supply against excess and obsolete stock risks. - Escalate potential material shortages and supply disruptions before they affect production. 3. Supplier Management - Maintain professional relationships with approved local and international suppliers. - Monitor supplier performance in areas such as delivery, responsiveness, quality, commercial compliance, and service. - Follow up with suppliers regarding outstanding orders, delayed deliveries, shortages, and quality-related issues. - Participate in supplier performance reviews and corrective-action discussions where required. - Identify alternative sources for critical raw materials where commercially and technically appropriate. 4. Commercial & Cost Management - Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations. - Negotiate pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, payment terms, freight arrangements, and other commercial conditions. - Conduct price comparisons and support procurement cost-saving initiatives. - Challenge unjustified supplier price increases and obtain appropriate supporting information. - Identify opportunities for cost reduction, improved payment terms, consolidation, and improved sourcing arrangements. - Maintain accurate and current pricing information. 5. Supply Risk Management - Identify raw materials that present a risk to production because of long lead times, single-source arrangements, capacity constraints, logistics issues, or supplier performance. - Maintain visibility of critical and potentially constrained materials. - Develop recovery actions with suppliers and internal stakeholders when shortages arise. - Escalate significant supply risks promptly to the Procurement Manager and affected stakeholders. - Support contingency sourcing and alternative-supplier initiatives. 6. Imports & Logistics Coordination - Coordinate imported raw material orders with suppliers and relevant logistics functions. - Monitor manufacturing, dispatch, shipping, arrival, and expected delivery dates. - Maintain visibility of long-lead-time imported materials. - Follow up on documentation required to facilitate the movement and receipt of imported materials. - Escalate shipping or logistics delays that could affect production.