Procurement Team Leader

To lead the procurement team in ensuring the effective sourcing, purchasing, and supply of materials, equipment, and services required by the business. The role is responsible for supplier management, cost control, inventory optimization, and ensuring uninterrupted operations while mentoring and guiding buyers within the department.

• Manage and execute procurement activities for production, maintenance, and operational requirements.
• Source competitive suppliers and negotiate pricing, delivery terms, and contracts.
• Ensure procurement activities align with company policies and budget targets.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives and continuous improvement within the supply chain.
• Monitor market trends, pricing movements, and supplier performance.
• Manage and execute procurement activities for production, maintenance, and operational requirements.
• Source competitive suppliers and negotiate pricing, delivery terms, and contracts.
• Lead and supervise buyers and procurement administrators.
• Allocate workload and monitor procurement KPIs.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and training to procurement staff.
• Ensure accountability and timely closure of procurement actions, OFI’s, and open MP’s.
• Drive a culture of urgency, ownership, and execution within the team.
• Ensure procurement activities align with company policies and budget targets.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives and continuous improvement within the supply chain.
• Monitor market trends, pricing movements, and supplier performance.
• Performs Supplier Market Analysis and conduct Quick Industrial Assessment on both current and new suppliers.
• Conduct Market Price Analysis and formulate a benchmarking database.
• Formulate and Implement a Commodity Purchasing Strategy.
• Sourcing raw materials and bought-out items which meet requirements in terms of manufacturing drawing specification, quality, price, and delivery lead time.
• Processing of purchases through the use of established administration procedures (Issuing of RFQ/RFP/ITT; Evaluating Quotations; Placing Purchase Orders).
• Implementing follow-up controls to expedite the delivery of orders on time.
• Researching and negotiating prices that deliver value for money.
• Negotiating long-term supply contracts with approved vendors.
• Pursuing new and/or alternative sources of supply to improve reliability of supplies, improve quality of products, shorten delivery lead times, and reduce costs.
• Measuring and managing supplier performance within established parameters.
• Ensuring completeness and correctness of orders.
• Providing timeous feedback to all role-players.
• Ensuring that all orders are placed within 48 working hours of demand being confirmed.
• Negotiating supplier agreements to ensure favourable terms for Astec.
• Ensuring that supplier quality performance adheres to Astec Requirements.
• Proposing alternatives to a specified supplier.
• Ensuring that the BBBEE targets on the Procurement pillar of the BBBEE scorecard are met.
• Ensuring full compliance to the Astec Code of Conduct in terms of items relevant to procurement.
• Ensuring compliance to QMS standards.

Qualifications:  

• A bachelor’s degree or National Diploma in a Supply Chain related field of study.
• A technical qualification would be advantageous.

Experience:  

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in buying/procurement in a technical environment. Casting industry knowledge will be advantageous.
• 5 years in a similar or same role with proven leadership experience.
• Previous experience within a heavy Engineering /manufacturing environment is required.

Character:  

• The Procurement Team leader will be a visible leader for change within the organization therefore strong, effective communication skills, integrity and interpersonal skills are essential.

• A self-motivated driver, would be ideal for this fast-paced role.

Computer Proficiency:   

• Intermediate Microsoft Excel and Word skills.
• A solid understanding of the procurement module on an ERP system. Exposure to Microsoft AX Dynamics would be highly advantageous.

Other:   

• Understand and display an ability to procure within the parameters of a Quality Control Plan.
• Ability to interpret the Material Requirements Plan.
• The candidate must be accessible after hours to assist the customer with urgent needs for example break downs etc.

Market Related.