• 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

• 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

• A minimum of 5 years in procurement, preferably in a production or

manufacturing setting.

• Experience in supplier negotiations, cost management, and inventory

optimisation.

• Proven ability to handle large procurement budgets and manage multiple

procurement projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Job Requirements

Role intent

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.

Purchasing Officer reporting to Supply Chain Manager

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.