About the position
A leading international maritime technology and engineering organisation is seeking an experienced Tactical (Technical) Purchaser (Level 1) to join its Cape Town-based Procurement team. The organisation delivers innovative maritime solutions to global customers across the dredging, offshore, mining and defence industries, with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, innovation and sustainable performance.
The successful candidate will combine technical understanding with strong commercial and procurement skills, managing sourcing activities, supplier relationships, negotiations, procurement planning and supplier performance while ensuring materials and services are delivered on time, within budget and to the required technical and quality standards.
Responsibilities:
Tactical Sourcing & Procurement
- Execute sourcing activities in line with approved procurement and category strategies.
- Manage RFQs, supplier evaluations, bid comparisons and supplier selection.
- Source raw materials, fabricated components, mechanical equipment, consumables, services and spare parts.
- Identify alternative suppliers and sourcing opportunities.
- Review technical specifications, Bills of Materials (BoMs), engineering drawings and project documentation.
- Support project procurement through proactive supplier engagement.
Procurement Planning & Project Support
- Develop procurement plans aligned with project and production schedules.
- Identify long-lead items and supply chain risks.
- Monitor purchase orders, supplier confirmations and delivery schedules.
- Coordinate procurement activities to support project milestones.
- Proactively escalate delivery delays, supplier concerns and commercial risks.
Supplier Management
- Build and maintain relationships with local and international suppliers.
- Monitor supplier performance against cost, quality, delivery and service KPIs.
- Conduct supplier evaluations and support supplier development.
- Assist with supplier onboarding and qualification.
- Resolve supplier-related quality, delivery and commercial issues.
Commercial Negotiation & Cost Control
- Negotiate pricing, delivery terms, payment terms and contractual conditions.
- Conduct market research and supplier benchmarking.
- Identify cost-saving and value-engineering opportunities.
- Support procurement budgeting and cost-control initiatives.
- Conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluations where applicable.
- Assist with spend forecasting and procurement reporting.
ERP, Reporting & Administration
- Process and manage procurement transactions within the ERP system.
- Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, contract and procurement information.
- Generate procurement reports and provide stakeholder updates.
- Maintain accurate RFQs, quotations, purchase orders and supplier records.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Engineering, Projects, Workshop, Logistics, Quality, Finance and Operations.
- Provide procurement input during project planning.
- Collaborate with Engineering to clarify technical requirements and supplier capabilities.
- Coordinate with Logistics and Warehousing to ensure successful deliveries.
- Support procurement process improvement initiatives.
Requirements:
- Minimum 5 years experience in procurement, purchasing, sourcing or supply chain management.
- Experience within an engineering, manufacturing, mining, marine, industrial or project-based environment.
- Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- Proven supplier management and commercial negotiation experience.
- Strong understanding of procurement and sourcing methodologies.
- Experience with ERP systems; IFS preferred, SAP advantageous.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
- Strong planning, analytical and organisational abilities.
- Ability to interpret technical specifications and commercial documentation.
Advantageous:
- Mechanical estimating.
- Proposal or tender preparation.
- Mechanical trade qualification, diploma or degree.
- Fabrication sourcing or project procurement.
- Capital equipment procurement.
- Mining, marine, manufacturing or heavy engineering experience.
- CIPS qualification or recognised procurement certification.
Key Competencies:
- Strong negotiation and commercial awareness.
- Technically astute with the ability to interpret drawings and specifications.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent supplier relationship management.
- Cost analysis and budgeting awareness.
- Strong planning and prioritisation skills.
- Risk management and sound decision-making.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.
- Proactive, self-motivated and results-driven.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams
Desired Skills:
- Procurement
- Supply Chain
- ERP
- Mechanical Engineering
- Marine
- Production schedule
- Supply chain risks
- IFS
- SAP
- MS Office
- Mechnical estimating
