Chilled and Frozen Food Buyer

About the role

This position is based in Durban within an international trading environment, responsible for ensuring consistent availability of chilled and frozen food products, accurate order execution and strong supplier collaboration.

Key responsibilities

• Manage day‑to‑day buying activities, order management and cross‑functional coordination.
• Identify and assess potential domestic and international suppliers in line with approved category strategies.
• Request, evaluate and compare quotations, recommending preferred suppliers for approval.
• Negotiate pricing and commercial terms within approved parameters and escalate high‑value negotiations when required.
• Maintain regular communication with existing suppliers to ensure product availability and agreed service levels.
• Support supplier‑led marketing and promotional initiatives in collaboration with sales teams.
• Conduct virtual supplier assessments and audits to ensure compliance with quality specifications.
• Assist with investigation and resolution of supplier‑related quality issues and regulatory documentation.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Agriculture or a related discipline.
• 3–5 years of experience in procurement or category buying, preferably within FMCG, meat or frozen food sectors.
• Strong knowledge of meat industry trends, suppliers and products.
• Basic understanding of food safety standards and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier meetings, audits or trade shows.