Purchase Engineer

Job Purpose

The Technical Purchaser is responsible for the execution of technical and production-related procurement activities to support Lucy Electric South Africa’s operational requirements. The role ensures timely, cost-effective, and technically compliant sourcing of materials, components, and services required for assembly, manufacturing, and service delivery. The role focuses on operational procurement execution within approved suppliers, pricing frameworks, and Delegation of Authority. Overall procurement governance, policy ownership, and compliance oversight suit the Business & Compliance Manager, and this role operates within those frameworks at all times.

Job Context

The Technical Purchaser operates within the Operations function and works closely with Assembly, Engineering, Planning, Warehousing, Quality & HSE, and Finance. The role supports execution of production and service plans by ensuring materials are ordered, expedited, received, and available when required. The role has a short- to medium-term operational horizon, balancing responsiveness to production demand with disciplined procurement controls, supplier performance management, and cost awareness.

Job Dimensions

Number of Staff Supervised

• Direct Reports: 0
• Total Employees: 0

Financial Dimensions

• Direct influence on material cost, supplier spend, inventory levels, and production continuity through effective procurement execution.
• Payment & Other Authorisations as per approved Delegation of Authority.

Key Accountabilities

Technical Procurement Execution

• Execute procurement of technical materials, components, and services required for assembly, manufacturing, and service activities.
• Place purchase orders in line with approved bills of material (BOMs), specifications, demand plans, and Delegation of Authority.
• Ensure procured items meet defined technical, quality, and compliance requirements.
• Liaise with Engineering and Assembly to clarify technical specifications and requirements.

Supplier Coordination & Expediting

• Coordinate with approved suppliers to confirm pricing, availability, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Expedite orders to meet production and service timelines.
• Communicate supply risks, delays, or constraints to Planning and Operations management.

Stock, Inventory & Material Availability

• Support material planning and inventory control by ensuring timely ordering and delivery of materials.
• Work closely with Warehousing to ensure accurate receipt, booking, and availability of purchased items.
• Support resolution of shortages, discrepancies, or quality issues related to purchased materials.

Quality, Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal procurement procedures, quality standards, and QHSE requirements.
• Support supplier quality issues, non-conformances, and corrective actions in coordination with Quality & HSE.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation, records, and supplier correspondence.

Cost & Performance Support

• Support cost control through adherence to approved pricing, supplier agreements, and budgets.
• Provide procurement-related input to Operations reporting, including supplier performance and material availability.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge

• Diploma or degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Basic understanding of electrical or engineered products and technical specifications.

Minimum Experience

• 3–6 years’ experience in technical purchasing, procurement, or supply chain execution within a manufacturing or industrial environment.

Job Specific Skills

• Technical procurement and supplier coordination capability.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, BOMs, and specifications.
• Strong organisational and expediting skills.
• Cost awareness and basic commercial understanding.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, Microsoft Office applications, Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Behavioural Competencies

• Detail-oriented with strong execution discipline.
• Proactive and responsive to operational demands.
• Able to manage pressure and competing priorities.
• Collaborative and solution-focused.
• Reliable and accountable for delivery.

1) Procurement: Support others by carrying out a range of procurement activities. Involves following established procedures.

2) Contract Management: Carry out a range of contract management tasks.

3) Supplier Management: Investigate incidents with suppliers or supplies and recommend actions in a timely manner to enable the delivery of the agreed services and supplies.

4) Administration: Produce, update, and provide best practice support on a wide range of Microsoft documents, databases, and other departmental systems.

5) Insights and Reporting: Extract and combine data to generate standard reports.

6) Data Collection and Analysis: Produce accurate reports for others by collecting data from a variety of standard sources and inputting it into standard formats.

7) Document Management: Create a local document management system for an office or department.

8) Operational Compliance: Develop working knowledge of the organization's policies and procedures and of regulatory codes and codes of conduct relevant to own work, adhering to mandatory procedures to ensure own work is undertaken to the required standards.

9) Personal Capability Building: Develop and maintain excellent process or technical skills by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching.

E d u c a t i o n a l R e q u i r e m

e n t s : Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education

G e n e r a l E x p e r i e n c e R e q u i r e m

e n t : Sound experience and understanding of straightforward procedures or systems (7 to 12 months)

M a n a g e r i a l E x p e r i e n c e R e q u i r e m

e n t : Very limited (0 to 3 months)

Lucy Electric is an international leader in intelligent secondary power distribution products and solutions, with features such as remote operation and monitoring. Linking energy generation to consumption, the business specialises in high-performance medium and low-voltage switchgear for utility, industrial and commercial applications.