Engineering Buyer

Role overview

This position is for a careful, organized professional who can manage the full purchasing cycle for engineering and maintenance needs. The role covers sourcing, comparing proposals, negotiating commercial terms, choosing suitable vendors, tracking orders, confirming receipt, approving payments, and keeping accurate records.

Key responsibilities

• Manage procurement and logistics for all approved engineering and maintenance parts, tools, equipment, and related items.
• Work closely with the engineering stores team to ensure spare parts and consumables are sourced on time and at the right quality, while maintaining re-order levels and appropriate lead times for stock items.
• Arrange clearing and forwarding for spares and equipment for both local and international purchases, and keep the plant engineer informed.
• Coordinate with engineering suppliers to resolve issues related to delivery, payment, shipping, procurement standards, and other order-related concerns.
• Track all local and overseas deliveries to ensure goods arrive safely and on schedule.
• Receive approved purchase requisitions from the chief storekeeper and obtain quotations or pro-forma invoices from suppliers.
• Prepare petty cash or advance vouchers, with plant engineer approval, for urgent cash purchases and complete the necessary reconciliation afterward.
• Follow up on cheques and advance payments with suppliers and contractors after delivery or completion of work, while maintaining strong working relationships.
• Keep engineering purchasing activity within agreed budgets and estimates in coordination with the line manager.
• Make sure required parts and equipment are available when needed so downtime is reduced through quick response.
• Support the engineering department in meeting company targets and departmental goals.
• Contribute to the engineering department’s vision of maximizing plant, equipment, buildings, and utility availability, reliability, and efficiency.
• Prepare procurement plans on annual, quarterly, monthly, semi-annual, and weekly bases for submission to the plant engineer.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
• A diploma in Purchasing and Supplies Management or a CIPS qualification will be an added advantage.
• Prior experience working as a technical buyer in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong negotiation ability, commercial awareness, and a high level of integrity.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience.

Additional information

The role requires someone who can oversee the complete order workflow, from sourcing and supplier evaluation through to delivery checks, payment follow-up, and record maintenance. The successful candidate should be proactive in ensuring parts availability and supporting maintenance continuity.