Ideally as a Category Buyer, you will possess the following :

• Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree preferably within Business or Engineering.+ CIPS qualification 
• Experience: procurement experience; strategic sourcing an added advantage 
• Tools: Excellent knowledge of Microsoft and relevant IT tools. Ideally previous experience in ERP Systems, preferably SAP 
• Competencies and Skills: Key functional competencies include supply chain knowledge, procurement processes, internal stakeholder management, procurement law, monitor & measure performance, procurement applications, strategic sourcing process, industry & category expertise, category profile analysis, supplier negotiation and management, contract management, benefit tracking

Activities

As a Category Buyer, you will be responsible for the following activities :

HSSE: 

• To effectively manage and minimise HSE risk within area of responsibility by ensuring: 
• Compliance with all HSE Policies, rules, guideline and legal requirements
•  Promotion of safe working environment and positively contributing to the company HSE KPIs and risk reduction strategies 
• That HSE competency requirements are identified & enforced within area of responsibility 

ADMINISTRATION: 

• The role largely plays an administrative role to support Category Managers in the execution of their category deliverables
•  To create the purchase orders on SAP and release PR on My eProc as per the requisitions submitted by various departments for TMSA and NBE affiliates 
•  Releasing of PR’s entails checking that correct purchasing processes were followed, against valid supplier contract and correct rates, valid Due Diligence in place (DD)  
• To track daily that all PRs are approved within the set SLA – provide report to Category Manager
•  To follow up on all queries by business and resolve all queries and issues relating to purchase orders; pricing; vendors, material numbers; etc 
• To assist Category Specialists with loading of contracts and catalogues on AGORA / SAP / My eProc 
• To assist to in ensuring TMSA procurement targets are met including affirmative procurement objectives; savings etc 
• To assist the Category Manager with all reporting requirements including tracking of purchasing department KPI’s
•  Master Data management – upload of new vendors; manage change of vendor information and communicate with the Vendors and internal customers 

STRATEGIC SOURCING:

•  Provide support to category manager/specialist (market analysis; spend analysis and other internal/external data) 
•  To support Category Specialists and Category Managers in developing purchasing plans
•  Conduct RFQ/EPP etc for all low value requests (below R500K), or as requested by Category Manager from time to time
•  To negotiate pricing with suppliers where there is no contract To negotiate savings for all tactical purchases and ensure savings are loaded on Agora
•  To collect data on internal factors such as spend and customer requirement analysis 
•  To collect data on external factors such as market analysis – industry and market dynamics, and products/services trends including supplier financials and capabilities (products / services, quality levels), cost models; using available and defined sources of information + market reports, internet sources
•  To assist in the development of Request for information (RFI) or Supplier One-on-One Questionnaires to collect supplier information
•  To prepare fact-based negotiation package which supports Category managers/specialist in the negotiation process 

GOVERNANCE: 

• To collect and consolidate data on contract compliance and assist category managers in introducing appropriate measures to increase compliance.’
•  Monitor and analyse delegated spend purchases and inform Category Manager of non-compliances
•  To ensure that business buys off the Global + Local contracts and reports non-adherence 
• To adhere to all TMSA Purchasing policies and procedures To ensure use of correct TGP and TSA contract template and other templates where applicable 
• To assist to in ensuring TSA’s affirmative procurement objectives are achieved by obtaining latest B-BBEE certifications from suppliers 

 STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT: 

• To assist in any communication with the Vendors and internal customers
•  To follow up with Vendors after issuing orders in order to eliminate the discrepancy between goods & services ordered and those supplied 
• Assist in the supplier performance management as and when required