Procurement Lead

  We are a people-first beauty company on a mission to give everyone a voice through skincare. We create physical, digital, and offline experiences inspired by our community that foster connection, inspire a sense of belonging, and invite people to participate with us. We are inclusive, customer-devoted, curious, courageous, discerning, and results-driven. We are a high-end skincare and lifestyle brand that caters to consumers’ need for non-toxic and luxury-based products. The Procurement Lead is responsible for leading all procurement, buying, and sourcing activities to ensure the uninterrupted supply of raw materials, componentry, and packaging that meet the company’s quality and sustainability standards. This role plays a key part in maintaining the integrity of our supply chain by managing supplier relationships, cost efficiency, and innovation in packaging and materials. Key Responsibilities: Procurement & Buying Function Purchase Management: Purchase raw materials, componentry, and packaging in line with the company’s Material Requirements Planning (MRP) schedule. MRP & Master Data Maintenance: Ensure accuracy and continuous maintenance of material data, supplier lead times, and reorder points. Purchase Order Management: Create, issue, and manage purchase orders (POs) according to production and NPD/EPD requirements. Monitor PO status, confirm delivery dates, and follow up proactively with suppliers. Report regularly on PO progress for cash flow forecasting. Cost Management: Track and manage Purchase Price Variance (PPV) between agreed purchase prices and supplier invoices. Supplier Deliveries: Coordinate and confirm on-time delivery of materials and packaging according to agreed PO schedules. Payments Coordination: Request, verify, and manage supplier payment requests in collaboration with the Accounts Department. Payment Term Optimization: Negotiate and align supplier payment terms to optimize cash flow in line with delivery schedules. Reporting: Provide structured reports on procurement performance, cost trends, and purchasing efficiency. Procurement Sourcing Function Supplier Management: Maintain and update the approved supplier database. Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers according to our quality and procurement framework. Innovation & Development: Explore and present new packaging materials, technologies, and sustainability options to support product innovation and brand differentiation. Verification & Compliance: Verify potential suppliers against our supplier compliance and quality standards framework. Continuous Optimization: Drive continuous improvement in sourcing processes and supplier performance through cost, quality, and lead time optimization. General Procurement & Supply Chain Responsibilities Buying Execution: Manage all end-to-end procurement activities including purchase orders, delivery coordination, goods receiving, and cash flow optimization. Sourcing: Source new raw materials, componentry, packaging, and other operational goods relevant to our product and business development pipeline. Freight Forwarding & 3PL co-ordination and management: Liaise with freight forwarders and 3PL partners to ensure efficient and cost-effective transport and customs clearance. Compare cost and optimize shipping containers and lead times. Cost Control & COGS Management: Support finance and supply chain in managing product COGS through PPV monitoring, supplier benchmarking, and cost improvement initiatives. Supplier Relationship Management: Develop long-term partnerships with suppliers to ensure consistent quality, reliability, and shared innovation. Procurement Optimization: Continuously review and improve procurement systems, processes, and policies for better control, efficiency, and compliance. Reporting & Administration: Prepare and present procurement performance reports, cost analysis, and supplier performance dashboards. Projects (NPD & EPD): Collaborate with the R&D and Product Development teams to source and qualify new materials and packaging for New Product Development (NPD). Support Existing Product Development (EPD) projects by ensuring timely procurement of components for reformulations or packaging upgrades. Key Skills & Competencies: Deep understanding of procurement within FMCG or skincare manufacturing environments. Strong negotiation and supplier management skills. Excellent organizational and analytical abilities. Working knowledge of MRP systems and ERP-based purchasing processes. High attention to detail, accuracy, and compliance. Strong communication and collaboration skills across departments (Finance, R&D, Operations, Marketing). Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment. Passion for sustainability and alignment with our brand ethos. Qualifications & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Procurement, Business, or a related field. Minimum 2 years of procurement or buying experience, preferably in cosmetics, personal care, or FMCG manufacturing. Proven experience in supplier development, contract negotiation, and cost management. MRP/ERP system experience. Performance Indicators (KPIs): Key Responsibilities: Strategic Procurement Leadership: Develop and execute procurement strategies that support business goals, optimize cost of goods (COGS), and enhance supply resilience. Buying & PO Management: Oversee the full purchasing process from requisition to receipt — ensuring accurate purchase orders, on-time deliveries, and optimized working capital through proactive cash flow management. Sourcing & Innovation: Identify and qualify new raw materials, packaging, and suppliers that align with product innovation, sustainability goals, and cost efficiency. Supplier Relationship & Performance Management: Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships. Lead performance reviews, contract negotiations, and capability development to secure quality, reliability, and value. Cost & Value Optimization (PPV, COGS): Drive cost transparency and control through rigorous analysis of purchase price variance, benchmarking, and total cost ownership models. Freight Forwarding & Logistics Coordination: Partner with logistics teams and 3PL providers to ensure efficient global and local freight movements, minimizing lead times and mitigating risk. Procurement Excellence: Implement process improvements, digital procurement tools, and best practices to enhance visibility, compliance, and data-driven decision-making. Cross-Functional Project Support (NPD & EPD): Collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Operations and Marketing/Commercial on New Product Development (NPD) and End-of-Product (EPD) lifecycles to ensure procurement readiness, cost targets, and timely launches. Reporting & Governance: Deliver accurate, timely procurement reporting, spend analysis, and performance dashboards to inform strategic decisions.     BENEFITS   The opportunity to play a key role in the growth and management of one of South Africa’s most exciting start-ups. Working with a small SME that allows for creative thinking and innovative leadership. Great office location (out of the city), Stellenbosch, Western Cape.