Buyer

Job Description

SUMMARY AND PURPOSE:

The Buyer is responsible for supporting the company with the selection and procurement of products.  Sourcing, negotiating and buying of goods, materials and services to meet the Company’s operational requirements. Support the Buyer in the purchase of goods, materials and services to ensure that the company operational needs are met, taking into account price, quality and delivery and to ensure continuity of supply.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES:

As an employee of Lindsay, the employee’s responsibilities are, but not limited to:

1. Building and maintaining positive supplier/vendor relations

2. Assist with preparing competitive retail and pricing strategies (evaluate prices of goods on quotation and decide on pricing).

3. Writing, placing and tracking purchase orders with vendors

4. Negotiating specifications, pricing, and deadlines (for delivery) with vendors

5. Suppliers management

6. Planning, monitoring and maintaining suitable inventory levels on normal consumables but not on safety stock.  MRP report is run to determine e.g. safety stock.

7. Participate in Vendor Meetings

8. Provide support in undertaking due diligence of suppliers/vendors and ensure that new suppliers/vendors are recorded and registered on the relevant business system (NAV).

9. Imports management

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Competencies:

• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Ability to work independently
• Analytical thinking ability in being able to evaluate various data (vendors, pricing, etc)
• Passion for staying current on the trends within the industry
• Expert understanding of the company’s products and quality.
• Able to build and maintain effective and productive relationships with staff, stakeholders and suppliers, vendors
• Able to manage time effectively, prioritise tasks and achieve set targets
• Commercial and financial awareness
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to make sound decisions

Skills (Technical, Behavioural and other):

• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent influencing skills
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Skilled in MS Office packages and excellent in inventory management software (NAV)
• Strong problem-solving skills

Knowledge:      

• Manufacturing environment and related industry knowledge
• Business administration and record keeping
• Knowledge of product categories and markets including manufacturing processes and costs, product make-up’s, specifications and raw material costs

Education/ Qualification: 

Preferred/Recommended:           Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration or related field

Experience                                        

Preferred/Recommended:           3 - 5 years’ relevant work experience in a competitive, pressurized working environment, doing procurement or work as a buyer working closely with suppliers, vendors in the manufacturing environment.