Senior Buyer

Camino Recruit

The Senior Buyer is responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, and management of apparel, merchandise, and promotional products for the business. The role focuses on ensuring cost-effective purchasing, maintaining supplier relationships, securing high-quality products, and ensuring timely delivery in line with operational and client requirements. The Senior Buyer plays a key role in identifying new product opportunities, managing supplier performance, and supporting the overall profitability, efficiency, and brand standards of the business.

The position requires a commercially minded individual with strong negotiation skills, excellent supplier management capabilities, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment while meeting strict deadlines and maintaining high levels of accuracy.

Source and procure apparel, merchandise, and promotional products aligned with company requirements and budgets.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with local and international suppliers.
Negotiate pricing, lead times, and contract terms to ensure best value.
Manage the full buying cycle from product selection through to delivery.
Monitor stock levels, demand trends, and market developments.
Ensure products meet quality standards and branding specifications.
Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations teams on product requirements and campaign timelines.
Identify new product opportunities and innovative suppliers.
Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier databases.
Resolve supplier or delivery issues efficiently and professionally.

Minimum Requirements

Grade 12 / Matric (NQF Level 4)
Relevant tertiary qualification in NQF6 in Logistics, Supply Chain, Operations, or Inventory Management.
Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Senior Buyer.
Proven experience in:
- Apparel procurement
- Merchandise sourcing
- Promotional items purchasing
Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
Excellent understanding of procurement processes and supply chain management.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Strong administrative and organisational skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and purchasing systems.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience with importing and international sourcing.
Existing supplier network within the promotional and apparel industry.
Relevant qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain, Fashion Design, or related field.

Skills & Competencies

Strong financial and asset-control awareness
High attention to detail and risk awareness
Analytical and problem-solving ability
Strong planning, coordination, and organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
Clear, confident communicator across multiple stakeholders

Applicants, please note:

Please only apply for this vacancy:
- If you meet the criteria specified or believe that your qualifications and/or experience qualify you for the role.
- If the vacancy matches your career ambitions, your desired position level, and salary expectation.
Camino Recruit endeavours to communicate as clearly and frequently as possible, including providing feedback to all applicants, however, we only undertake to contact shortlisted candidates. Please do not contact our office by telephone. Kindly direct ALL queries and questions to ***email_hidden*** and we will endeavour to answer as quickly and accurately as we can.
Note that Camino Recruit takes instruction from a client. We can thus not accept responsibility/liability for any decisions or actions taken by our client, including, but not limited to, hiring decisions, delays in the process, or changes in the nature or availability of the vacancy in question. Furthermore, any feedback provided to candidates by Camino Recruit represents our best interpretation of the information we receive during the process. As such, this feedback is to be regarded as “without prejudice”.
Candidates who apply for the vacancy may be required to undergo various rounds of interviews, psychometric assessment, reference checks, and other background checks, which may include criminal record checks, credit checks, qualification verifications, and a social media screening, as applicable.
Note that our own company policy may preclude us from accepting applications from applicants that we have recently placed or are regarded as unsuitable due to other relevant criteria as per our discretion.
Note that applying for this vacancy is regarded as consent for collecting and storing (with due regard for confidentiality) the personal information of the applicant for the purpose of recruitment for the current and/or future vacancies.