SUMMARY:
The successful candidate will play a key role in sourcing, pricing, ordering, and invoicing a wide variety of goods supplied to vessels, ensuring accuracy, competitive pricing, and timely delivery.
POSITION INFO:
Job Title: Buyer – Ship Chandler Provisions Department
Location: Paarden Eiland, Cape Town
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: R18,000 – R25,000 per month (depending on experience)
Role Overview
Our client, a reputable and fast-paced ship chandler operation, is seeking an experienced Buyer to join their Provisions Department. This is a senior-level role suited to a commercially minded professional with strong FMCG purchasing experience, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to operate efficiently under pressure and high transaction volumes.
The successful candidate will play a key role in sourcing, pricing, ordering, and invoicing a wide variety of goods supplied to vessels, ensuring accuracy, competitive pricing, and timely delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare accurate and competitive quotations for requested products
- Source and procure goods from approved suppliers
- Negotiate pricing, delivery timelines, and product availability
- Process purchase orders and track order status
- Handle invoicing for both customers and suppliers
- Monitor pricing fluctuations, including foreign currency impacts
- Maintain accurate purchasing and financial records
- Ensure stock and product availability align with client demands
- Liaise with internal teams and suppliers to resolve order or pricing discrepancies
- Work efficiently within high-pressure, deadline-driven environments
Minimum Requirements
- Proven experience in a senior buying or procurement role within the FMCG sector
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including basic formulas
- Ability to manage large product ranges and high-volume transactions
- Solid commercial acumen and negotiation skills
- Strong numerical and administrative accuracy
- Experience using accounting systems (Pastel 14 advantageous)
- Ability to multitask and perform effectively under pressure
Advantageous Skills & Experience
- Experience in ship chandling, maritime supply, logistics, or wholesale distribution
- Knowledge of exchange rate calculations and foreign currency purchasing
- Supplier network within FMCG or provisions supply
- Exposure to international procurement environments
Key Competencies
- High attention to detail
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Professional communication skills
- Results-driven mindset
- Ability to prioritise urgent requests
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is commercially sharp, highly organised, and thrives in a fast-moving operational environment. They are confident working with numbers, comfortable managing multiple supplier relationships, and able to balance cost control with service delivery expectations.
