Job Description

The buyer is responsible for and not limited to the purchasing, planning and supplier management of all dry & packaging goods procured at UCOOK. It is the responsibility of the buyer to use historical usage data to manage inventory accordingly in aims of avoiding stock build up and waste. It is the responsibility of the buyer to maintain sources of supply through regularly conducting risk assessments, raising purchase orders as per supplier lead times, and managing the delivery process through to the end. This individual is expected to be a collaborative team player and must have the ability to work alongside multiple departments in the interest of a common goal. The buyer will be expected to source product at the best price whilst maintaining the best quality and conduct margin analysis post production week.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Forecasting & ordering - use usage data to compile purchase orders as well as forecast plans for suppliers that adhere to their lead times. Including but not limited to:
- Managing stock transfer between UC warehouses (Johannesburg & Cape Town)
- Supporting stock & receiving teams
- Ensuring that production receives stock in time (take action where supplier is OOS as to not affect production)
- Ensure orders are placed within supplier lead times
- Supplier management - ensure effective communication with suppliers that encourages a collaborative approach to
business, while also prioritizing UCOOK’s operational requirements. This includes:
- Onboarding suppliers

- Terms negotiation
- Ensuring suppliers adhere to UCOOK’s Quality Management Systems
- Measuring supplier performance through regular check ins
- Ensure financial queries are addressed timeously to allow for an easy financial month end closure.
- Facilitating stock returns where stock has been incorrectly delivered or is not within specification
- New product development - Work closely with the UCOOK NPD team on NPD, EPD and continuous improvement
within meal kit. This includes:
- Suggesting/sourcing new products to encourage innovation
- Planning timelines from a buying perspective when considering the launch of new products
- Supporting the food team in terms of pricing and specification requests where required
- Stock health - Ensure that stock is moving
- Add products to the product usage guideline as they onboarded
- Ensure products are planned as per the product usage guideline to avoid accumulation of waste
- Review short shelf-life stock as per the kit stock count
- Raise alert when there is an accumulation of stock that needs to be used before the end of shelf life
- Submit stock for risk assessments where required
- Reporting - report weekly on:
- Margin Investigations
- Red pallet report actions & follow up
- Waste write offs and reasoning
- Supplier out of stocks
- Project Work
- From time-to-time project work is required to increase efficiencies or support new business ventures

REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree and/or 1-2 years of experience in the food industry.
- A valid Driver’s license with experience driving
- Computer literacy with advanced Word and Excel skills/experience
- Strong administration skills

- Strong numerical skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work in a team-oriented environment while maintaining an individual workload
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to take initiative on tasks and projects
- Eager to work and enthusiastic

What’s in it for you?
- Be part of something meaningful – Play a key role in one of South Africa’s most exciting and fast-growing startups,
with plenty of room for growth, learning, and support from a passionate and experienced team.
- 50% off UCOOK meal boxes – Enjoy our delicious meals at half the price, delivered to your door.
- Pension fund contributions – We’ve got your future in mind with a solid retirement benefit.