Buying Intern

SUMMARY:
Signa Opportunity is recruiting unemployed youth for quality workplace experience through the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative.

POSITION INFO:
About the role
The Buying Intern will support the Buying Department with sourcing, purchasing and administrative duties. This role is ideal for someone who is organised, detail-oriented, and passionate about fashion, retail, and product development. The intern will gain hands-on experience in procurement processes, supplier relations, and merchandise planning.

Responsibilities:

Procurement & Sourcing Support

• Assist in sourcing raw materials, trims, packaging, and other production requirements.
• Support the team in obtaining quotes and comparing supplier prices.
• Assist with researching new suppliers, materials, and trends.
• Help maintain the approved supplier list and documentation.

• Follow up with suppliers on delivery timelines and outstanding orders.
• Track and record order statuses to ensure accuracy and timelines.

• Support with stock counts, variance checks, and inventory reports.

• Maintain and organise procurement files, supplier contracts, and purchase records.
• Assist in preparing weekly and monthly buying/procurement reports.
• Capture relevant data for budgeting, costing, and planning purposes.
• Support the team in preparing product mood boards and sample tracking lists.

• Communicate with suppliers regarding pricing, samples, and timelines.
• Assist in arranging sample collection, deliveries, and approvals.
• Work closely with the Production, Design, and Retail teams to ensure smooth workflow.
• Support with quality checks on delivered materials or samples.

• South African Unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 34.
• Must not have participated on the YES programme before.
• Matric.
• Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain Management, Buying, Procurement, Retail Management, Fashion, or related field.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability.
• Excellent organisational skills.

• Attention to Detail: High accuracy in administrative and data-related tasks.
• Organisation: Strong time-management and multi-tasking ability.
• Communication: Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse costs, supplier data, and stock levels.
• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Adaptability: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify procurement issues and propose solutions.
• Customer/Service Orientation: Professional and responsive when dealing with suppliers and internal teams.
• Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive buying and pricing information responsibly.