Job Description
Zinc Limited is seeking a highly organized, analytical, and commercially minded Procurement Officer to support the company's purchasing and supply chain activities.
The Procurement Officer will be responsible for sourcing materials, equipment, spare parts, services, and other goods required for the company's manufacturing and business operations. The successful candidate will work closely with production, engineering, maintenance, stores, finance, and management teams to ensure that the right products are purchased at the right quality, price, and time.
The role requires strong negotiation skills, supplier-management experience, attention to detail, and a good understanding of procurement processes within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Procurement and Purchasing
Manage day-to-day procurement activities in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Receive and review purchase requisitions from production, engineering, maintenance, stores, and other departments.
Source and purchase raw materials, machinery components, spare parts, tools, consumables, office supplies, and services.
Obtain quotations from approved and potential suppliers.
Prepare and process purchase orders accurately and efficiently.
Ensure purchases are made within approved budgets and authorization limits.
Monitor the status of outstanding purchase orders and ensure timely delivery.
Coordinate urgent purchases required to prevent production interruptions.
2. Supplier Sourcing and Management
Identify, evaluate, and develop relationships with reliable suppliers.
Maintain an up-to-date database of approved suppliers.
Obtain and compare supplier quotations based on price, quality, specifications, delivery time, and payment terms.
Conduct supplier due diligence in accordance with company procedures.
Monitor supplier performance and address issues relating to quality, delivery, pricing, or service.
Assist in negotiating favourable prices, payment terms, warranties, and delivery conditions.
Develop alternative suppliers for critical materials to reduce supply-chain risks.
3. Manufacturing and Technical Procurement
Procure ferrous and non-ferrous metals according to approved specifications.
Source mechanical and engineering components required for manufacturing and maintenance.
Purchase bearings, fasteners, tools, lubricants, electrical components, welding consumables, and other industrial supplies.
Work with engineers and technicians to understand technical specifications and material requirements.
Ensure purchased materials and components meet required technical and quality standards.
Source specialized machinery, equipment, and fabrication materials when required.
4. Cost Management and Negotiation
Negotiate competitive prices with suppliers while maintaining required quality standards.
Conduct price comparisons and market research before major purchases.
Identify opportunities for cost savings and improved purchasing terms.
Monitor fluctuations in the prices of metals, industrial materials, equipment, and other key inputs.
Support budgeting and cost forecasting activities.
Identify opportunities for bulk purchasing and supplier agreements where commercially beneficial.
Ensure purchases provide the best overall value rather than focusing solely on the lowest price.
5. Inventory and Stock Coordination
Work closely with the Stores and Warehouse teams to monitor inventory levels.
Ensure critical production materials and spare parts are available when required.
Monitor minimum and maximum stock levels for key items.
Identify slow-moving, obsolete, or excess inventory.
Assist in preventing stock-outs that could disrupt manufacturing operations.
Coordinate procurement activities with production schedules and inventory requirements.
6. Purchase Order and Documentation Management
Prepare purchase orders and ensure all required information is accurately captured.
Maintain complete and organized procurement records.
Match purchase orders with supplier invoices and delivery documentation.
Track orders from requisition through delivery.
Maintain records of quotations, supplier evaluations, contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and delivery notes.
Ensure procurement documentation is available for audits and management review.
7. Delivery and Logistics Coordination
Monitor supplier delivery schedules and follow up on delayed orders.
Coordinate with suppliers and logistics providers to ensure timely delivery.
Verify quantities and specifications against purchase orders upon delivery.
Work with stores personnel to resolve discrepancies in deliveries.
Escalate significant delivery delays that could affect production.
Assist with the coordination of imported materials and equipment where applicable.
8. Quality and Compliance
Ensure procurement activities comply with Zinc Limited's procurement policies and procedures.
Purchase goods and services only from approved or properly evaluated suppliers.
Ensure required technical specifications are communicated clearly to suppliers.
Work with the Quality Control team to address defective or non-conforming materials.
Assist with supplier quality assessments and corrective actions.
Maintain ethical and transparent procurement practices.
Avoid conflicts of interest and comply with company standards relating to supplier relationships.
9. Cross-Departmental Coordination
Work closely with the Production Department to understand upcoming material requirements.
Coordinate with Maintenance and Engineering teams regarding spare parts and equipment.
Work with Finance regarding budgets, supplier payments, and invoice reconciliation.
Coordinate with Stores regarding stock levels and deliveries.
Communicate procurement updates to relevant managers and stakeholders.
Participate in production and supply-chain planning meetings when required.
10. Procurement Reporting
Prepare regular procurement reports for management.
Report on outstanding purchase orders and expected deliveries.
Monitor procurement expenditure against approved budgets.
Provide supplier performance reports where required.
Track procurement savings and cost-reduction initiatives.
Highlight potential supply risks and recommend appropriate solutions.
Maintain accurate procurement performance records.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Performance will be measured against indicators including:
Procurement cost savings
Purchase order processing time
Supplier delivery performance
Supplier quality performance
Procurement spend against budget
Reduction in emergency purchases
Availability of critical production materials
Supplier response times
Accuracy of procurement documentation
Compliance with procurement policies
Supplier performance and development
Required Qualifications
Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
Professional procurement certification or membership of a recognized procurement body is an advantage.
Additional training in inventory management, contract management, or supply-chain management will be beneficial.
Required Experience
Minimum of 2–4 years' experience in procurement or purchasing.
Experience within a manufacturing, engineering, construction, automotive, mining, or industrial environment is highly desirable.
Experience sourcing technical, engineering, industrial, or manufacturing materials will be an advantage.
Demonstrated experience in supplier negotiations and purchase order management.
Experience working with ERP, procurement, or inventory-management systems is desirable.
Required Skills and Competencies
The successful candidate should possess:
Strong negotiation and supplier-management skills
Excellent purchasing and sourcing abilities
Strong analytical and numerical skills
Good knowledge of procurement procedures
Excellent organizational and time-management skills
Strong attention to detail
Good understanding of inventory and supply-chain principles
Ability to evaluate quotations and supplier proposals
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Good problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
Ability to work with procurement or ERP systems
Ability to manage multiple procurement priorities under pressure
Personal Attributes
The ideal candidate should be:
Honest and ethical
Organized and methodical
Proactive and results-oriented
Commercially aware
Reliable and accountable
Detail-oriented
Assertive but professional when negotiating with suppliers
Able to work independently and as part of a team
Adaptable to changing production requirements
Committed to maintaining high standards of professional conduct
Working Environment
The Procurement Officer will primarily work in an office environment but will regularly interact with production, engineering, maintenance, stores, warehouse, and logistics teams.
The role may occasionally require visits to suppliers, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, or other operational locations.
What Zinc Limited Offers
Zinc Limited offers an opportunity to join a growing manufacturing and engineering organization committed to quality, innovation, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
The successful candidate will play an important role in ensuring that the company has access to the materials, equipment, and services required to maintain efficient and uninterrupted manufacturing operations.