The Procurement Engineer

SUMMARY:
The Procurement Engineer is responsible for managing the technical and commercial aspects of procurement activities across the client’s water and wastewater treatment projects.

POSITION INFO:

Role Description:

The Procurement Engineer is responsible for managing the technical and commercial aspects of procurement activities across the client’s water and wastewater treatment projects. The role bridges engineering and supply chain, ensuring that materials, equipment, and services are sourced in compliance with technical specifications, project budgets, and delivery schedules.

The incumbent will work closely with engineering, project management, finance, and operations teams to deliver a reliable, cost-effective, and compliant supply chain that supports the clients project execution and operational objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Procurement Strategy & Planning

·       Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with project requirements and the company objectives.

·       Collaborate with project and engineering teams to understand procurement needs and provide proactive support throughout the project lifecycle.

·       Support inventory management and procurement planning for critical materials, spare parts, and long-lead items.

·       Identify and mitigate procurement-related risks to minimise impact on project delivery and operational continuity.

2. Supplier Identification & Management

·       Identify, assess, and pre-qualify potential suppliers against the clients technical, commercial, and ethical requirements.

·       Establish and maintain strong, professional relationships with suppliers to ensure a reliable and competitive supply chain.

·       Conduct regular supplier performance evaluations and manage supplier performance improvement plans where required.

·       Monitor supplier performance and address non-conformities, delays, or quality issues promptly and effectively.

·       Coordinate with logistics and internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment.

3. Tendering, Evaluation & Award

4. Contract Administration

5. Quality & Compliance

6. Reporting & Documentation

REQUIREMENTS

·       Technical & Commercial

·       Strong engineering or technical background in an EPC environment.

·       Sound knowledge of procurement processes, contract administration, and supplier management principles.

·       Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and material datasheets.

·       Commercially aware with a cost-optimisation mindset and the ability to identify value without compromising technical compliance.

·       Familiarity with local procurement regulations and compliance requirements applicable to the water treatment or industrial sector.

·       Proficiency in ERP/procurement systems and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Professional & Interpersonal

·       Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail.

·       Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal abilities, able to engage confidently with suppliers, engineers, and senior stakeholders.

·       Well-organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously across concurrent projects.

·       Proactive, self-motivated, and results-oriented, able to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.

·       Ability to work collaboratively with engineering, finance, quality, and operations teams.

·       High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all procurement dealings.

·       Adaptable and able to maintain effectiveness under changing project conditions and priorities.

Minimum Qualification

BEng / BTech / BSc in Process, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or related Engineering discipline, or equivalent relevant qualification.

Experience

·       Minimum 3–5 years of relevant hands-on experience in procurement engineering or procurement operations within an engineering, industrial, or infrastructure environment.

·       Working experience in industrial facilities, utilities, construction projects, or large-scale operational environments is preferred.

Advantageous experience:

·       Water treatment and membrane technologies exposure in the mining or wastewater industries.

·       Pr.Eng registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa.

·       On site / Installation / Commissioning / O&M Exposure