Junior Strategic Buyer

About the Company and Role

Nestlé South Africa, located in Bryanston, has a rich legacy of over 150 years in the food and beverage industry. Known for constant innovation and excellence, Nestlé is seeking a Junior Strategic Buyer to join its Procurement team. This role focuses on crafting and implementing sourcing strategies aligned with Nestlé's standardised procurement frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and execute local sourcing strategies for designated categories at the Market level, following established strategic sourcing processes and templates.
• Utilize the Nestlé Standardised Procurement Model in daily sourcing operations, ensuring all sourcing strategy documentation is approved and available.
• Support the introduction and adjustment of items, services, and suppliers to optimize procurement efficiency.
• Conduct detailed analyses including supplier markets, category trends, and risk assessments to develop a comprehensive understanding of total cost of ownership for categories.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and provide inputs to procurement supply processes, including prioritized materials and risk evaluations.
• Plan and lead supplier negotiations to secure optimal contracts emphasizing total cost efficiency and advantageous commercial terms.
• Ensure adherence to Nestlé’s ethical business standards, procurement policies, and supplier codes of conduct throughout procurement activities.
• Integrate supplier-driven innovation and cost-saving initiatives into Nestlé's product innovation cycles.
• Coordinate contract management activities, including service level agreement (SLA) monitoring, involvement with quality assurance partners, and maintenance of contract data within SAP.
• Build and nurture robust stakeholder partnerships to incorporate category plans into budgeting and price planning cycles.
• Manage performance metrics, supplier reviews, and risk mitigation strategies to support organizational procurement goals.

Qualifications and Experience

• Undergraduate degree or an equivalent qualification.
• Between 2 to 3 years of proven experience in developing and applying sourcing strategies for specified spend categories.
• Track record of successful project leadership and execution.
• Competence in risk management, responsible sourcing, and supplier relationship management practices.
• Experience facilitating complex negotiations involving cross-functional and international teams.
• Deep knowledge of strategic sourcing processes, including documentation, negotiation support, and category performance monitoring.
• Capability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and suppliers to support planning and review activities.

Additional Information

The closing date for applications is August 18, 2026. The position reports directly to the Senior Strategic Buyer and requires onsite presence at the Bryanston facility.