About the position
Job Title: Group Category Buyer – Raw Materials
Department: Procurement
Location: Durban Head Office, KwaZulu-Natal
Employment Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 13 August 2026
About Us
Stratogo is a professional recruitment and workforce solutions company specializing in sourcing and placing top talent across various industries.
Our client, a leading FMCG manufacturing company, is seeking an experienced Group Category Buyer – Raw Materials to manage the procurement and strategic sourcing of raw materials, commodities, indirect materials, and services across multiple business units. This role requires a commercially driven procurement professional with strong strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category management experience within a manufacturing or FMCG environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement procurement and category strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Manage the end-to-end sourcing process, including RFQs, tenders, supplier negotiations, and contract management.
- Build, evaluate, and maintain strategic supplier relationships to ensure quality, service, innovation, and cost competitiveness.
- Conduct market analysis to identify pricing trends, supply risks, and sourcing opportunities.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Marketing, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted supply of raw materials.
- Drive cost-saving initiatives while maintaining product quality and supply continuity.
- Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Work closely with Logistics and Supply Chain teams to optimise inventory levels and minimise waste.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance requirements, ethical sourcing, and responsible procurement practices.
- Ensure all purchased materials comply with regulatory, quality, and sustainability standards.
- Support innovation and new product development by sourcing new materials and supplier solutions.
- Prepare procurement reports, spend analysis, supplier evaluations, and category performance reviews.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or National Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Management, or a related qualification.
- CIPS or APICS qualification will be advantageous.
- Minimum 10 years' procurement, category management, or buying experience within an FMCG or manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience managing raw materials procurement.
- Strong supplier relationship management and strategic sourcing experience.
- Excellent contract negotiation and commercial management skills.
- Knowledge of logistics, clearing & forwarding, innovation, marketing, and new product development processes.
- Advanced ERP systems experience (SAP, SYSPRO, Sage, Oracle or similar).
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are essential.
- Power BI experience will be advantageous.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong commercial and strategic procurement acumen.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Outstanding negotiation and influencing abilities.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.
- Strong planning, organisational, and project management skills.
- High attention to detail with excellent governance and compliance awareness.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple business units.
What is on Offer
- Competitive salary package.
- Opportunity to join a leading FMCG manufacturing organisation.
- Exposure to strategic procurement and category management initiatives.
- Career growth and professional development opportunities.
How to Apply
Send your CV to: [Email Address Removed]
Subject Line: Group Category Buyer – Raw Materials
Please note: Only applicants with FMCG or Manufacturing Procurement experience will be considered.
Note: If you do not receive a response within three weeks of submitting your application, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.
We are committed to locating the ideal job for you, so we kindly advise against paying for this service. There are no costs associated with securing employment with us.
Desired Skills:
- Procurement
- Marketing
- sales
