Packaging Buyer

SUMMARY:
Are you a skilled Senior Packaging Buyer with 5 years’ FMCG food experience? Join a fast-paced team where your expertise in sourcing, supplier management, and cost-saving initiatives will make a real impact. Take ownership of packaging procurement, drive innovation with R&D and Quality, and help deliver excellence to market—on time, every time.

POSITION INFO:

Education:

• National Diploma or BCom equivalent in Logistics, Procurement Management, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in purchasing within a manufacturing environment.
• At least 3 years in a packaging procurement role, preferably within FMCG.

Job Responsibilities:

Sourcing Strategy:

• Develop and maintain a sourcing strategy for each key packaging category, ensuring it reflects market dynamics and is updated as conditions evolve.
• Communicate sourcing strategies with key stakeholders, clearly outlining expected business outcomes.
• Engage cross-functional support (e.g., Research & Development, Quality, Marketing) to ensure alignment and support for packaging-related value initiatives.
• Maintain an external perspective on packaging trends, innovations, competitor sourcing practices, and factors affecting supply continuity or cost structures.

Sourcing of Packaging Materials and Suppliers:

• Source packaging materials from approved vendors in line with standard packaging approval procedures.
• Identify and onboard new packaging suppliers using sound procurement practices that consider cost, sustainability, lead time, and supplier reliability.
• Continuously review and rationalise the supplier base to leverage scale and improve efficiencies.
• Act as the primary point of contact for packaging suppliers on commercial and supply-related matters, coordinating with Quality and other relevant departments as needed.
• Manage procurement in accordance with the MRP (Materials Requirements Planning) to ensure timely and accurate order placement.
• Ensure supplier confirmations and delivery commitments are captured accurately in the ERP system.
• Monitor delivery timelines and follow up to ensure packaging availability for production and stores.
• Expedite or de-expedite packaging orders in response to forecast changes or production requirements.
• Promptly communicate supply risks or delays to planning and operations teams and implement mitigation plans.

Cost and Price Management:

• Negotiate supplier price adjustments, ensuring proper justification, notice, and Executive approval.
• Identify and drive cost-saving opportunities in collaboration with internal stakeholders and packaging suppliers.
• Continuously monitor cost drivers such as resin prices, board grade changes, or transportation costs to proactively manage budget risks.
• Prepare packaging cost forecasts and support financial planning initiatives.

Supplier Relationship & Compliance Management:

• Ensure packaging suppliers provide all necessary compliance documentation (e.g., specifications, declarations, questionnaires).
• Work closely with Quality to maintain accurate and current supplier records in line with quality standards.
• Facilitate new supplier onboarding in accordance with financial and procurement procedures.
• Schedule regular supplier reviews to discuss service levels, stock availability, upcoming changes, and potential disruptions.

Imported Packaging Materials Management:

• Oversee procurement of imported packaging to ensure availability and avoid overstocking.
• Coordinate with distributing agents, producers, and clearing agents to minimise demurrage, storage, or inspection penalties.
• Issue accurate clearing instructions for overseas packaging shipments.
• Communicate FOREX requirements to Finance and follow import procedures accordingly.

Quality and Continuous Improvement:

• Align procurement activities with company quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to packaging supply, cost, or process efficiency.
• Collaborate with Quality and suppliers to close out non-conformances timeously.
• Ensure only approved packaging suppliers are used, as per the Approved Supplier List.
• Maintain and report on packaging savings initiatives through a structured register.
• Lead projects aimed at optimising packaging costs and value, engaging internal teams and suppliers to achieve transparent and effective outcomes.
• Support working capital improvement efforts through strategic inventory management and negotiation of favourable supplier terms.