Technical Buyer and Expeditor

Our client, a manufacturing business, is seeking an experienced Technical Buyer and Expeditor to support its procurement, production and supply chain requirements.

The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing materials, components and services from approved suppliers, placing and expediting orders, maintaining accurate procurement information and ensuring that quality products are delivered within the required timeframes.

This role requires strong manufacturing procurement experience, technical understanding, supplier relationship-management skills and knowledge of international freight-forwarding processes.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement and Order Management

• Prepare accurate requests for quotation and issue them to approved suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier pricing, delivery dates and commercial terms.
• Place purchase orders accurately and within the required timeframes.
• Ensure orders are placed at the correct price and against agreed delivery dates.
• Follow up on outstanding and overdue purchase orders.
• Monitor supplier commitments and escalate potential delivery delays.
• Support production requirements by ensuring materials and components are available when needed.
• Assist with controlling procurement costs and reducing supply chain risks.

Expediting and Logistics Coordination

• Expedite local and international orders from placement through to delivery.
• Monitor lead times, shipping arrangements and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate international freight-forwarding activities where required.
• Support the preparation and management of import and export documentation.
• Liaise with relevant parties regarding customs procedures, shipping methods and logistics arrangements.
• Identify delivery risks and communicate potential disruptions to internal stakeholders.
• Distribute weekly vendor schedules and obtain updated feedback from suppliers.

Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with approved suppliers.
• Communicate current and anticipated business requirements to suppliers.
• Communicate engineering changes and updated technical requirements to suppliers.
• Provide feedback on engineering changes to relevant internal stakeholders.
• Conduct supplier visits where possible to assess capabilities and alignment with business requirements.
• Arrange meetings with underperforming suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance relating to quality, pricing, lead times and delivery.
• Escalate unresolved supplier issues when necessary.
• Respond to supplier and internal correspondence promptly.

Procurement Data and Compliance

• Maintain accurate item-master and procurement data.
• Update supplier details, lead times, pricing and related information.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies, quality standards and customer requirements.
• Source materials, components and services from approved suppliers.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and supporting documentation.
• Support appropriate inventory levels while reducing shortages and unnecessary stockholding.

Minimum Requirements

• At least five years of procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Sound understanding of technical concepts and terminology.
• Knowledge of material requirements planning systems.
• Sound knowledge of Incoterms 2020.
• Knowledge of international freight-forwarding processes.
• Understanding of import and export documentation, customs procedures, shipping methods and logistics coordination.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Office.
• Project-management and coordination skills.

Advantageous Qualification

• A tertiary qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain Management or a related field.

Key Competencies

• Strong negotiation and commercial skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational ability.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Effective supplier relationship management.
• Ability to manage multiple orders and competing deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical ability.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Proactive follow-up and expediting skills.
• Ability to identify and escalate supply chain risks.
• Ability to work effectively with production, engineering and supply chain teams.
• Reliable, accountable and deadline-driven approach.