National Diploma/ Degree in the following disciplines: Purchasing, Logistics, Commerce, Finance or Business Management
Minimum 5 years of purchasing experience in the automotive or related industry
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
Significant knowledge of purchasing policies, procedures and legal requirements in respect of the commodity
Advanced strategic and critical thinking skills
Strong analytical skills
Excellent planning and prioritisation capability
Advanced negotiating competence
Excellent organizational skills
Fact-based decision-making skills
Advanced commercial, technical, and legal knowledge and understanding
Project management skills
Good communication skills, written and verbal
Excellent presentation skills
Excellent computer literacy, especially in the MS Office package
Conflict management skills
Ability to interpret technical data
Self-motivated and driven
Structured problem-solving skills
ADDED ADVANTAGE
German language
1 year of harness purchasing experience
RESPONSIBILITIES
Support the buying team in ensuring that all items and services are purchased at the best price with due regard to quality, delivery and sustainability in accordance with all applicable laws and due consideration of the group purchasing procedures
Provide strategic and problem-solving input into the commodity, relating to suppliers, material groups, sourcing, presentations, and negotiations, both locally and across brands and regions
Align with the other CSLs within purchasing on the alignment of strategic thinking and cross-commodity optimisation
Create and develop supplier strategies for the commodity by aligning with the team and CSLs to have a balanced supplier portfolio and reduce risks and dependencies
Create and develop sourcing strategies for the commodity by aligning with the cross-divisional team and material group management/ e-class to achieve the best localisation outcome
Engage with other CSLs to achieve cross-commodity optimisations in all areas (cost, strategies, suppliers, presentations, etc.)
Assume responsibility for large value projects by using specialist experience to ensure efficient and professional completion of the task
Establish business plans through action timelines, which will ensure the achievement of commodity objectives (MBO) and take corrective action where necessary
Assist the line manager in organizing and controlling the work process by developing objectives and the subsequent measurement, evaluation and correction of the work performed to achieve set objectives
Provide support and train buyers by using existing training material with the sourcing process, supplier negotiations, project implementation, whilst always considering BBBEE and AITF requirements and general struggling points to support the achievement of the commodity objectives
Monitor and evaluate all commercial, specification, legal and delivery aspects through regular feedback meetings, to achieve the commodity objectives
Prevent potential line stoppages by providing specialist know-how in assisting buyers with immediate and remedial actions to secure production
Prepare departmental reports by recording all required statistical data to track progress against key objectives and identify corrective measures where necessary
Manage and monitor the raw material forecast and risk in line with the group strategy to support the team in achieving the optimal negotiation outcome for the company
