Introduction to the VKB Group
The VKB Group is an agricultural company, providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the farm-foods for consumers. Apart from the various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK. Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years.

Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now also operate in all areas of the food supply chain: processing, logistics, and national and global market channels.

This “house of brands” we’ve established with the support of our farmer shareholders is the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

Our purpose

Touch lives – for the better: We always aim to make a positive impact in people’s lives: our employees, producers, clients, communities and the larger industry. And, through collaboration with this group of people, we strive to make an even bigger and longer lasting impact in the lives of all South Africans.

Values

We live by five important values:

We are HUMBLE

We acknowledge that we are blessed

We are HUNGRY

We do not settle for mediocre  

We are BOLD

We do what is right, even if it scares us

We are SMART

We consider our words and actions

We are TEAM PLAYERS

No-one can do this alone

Our legacy

For the Love of the Land: We do it all for our legacy and the love of nature, people, country, sustainability and progress.

Job Description
The ideal team player will be responsible for purchasing and procuring quality products at competitive prices to meet business objectives. Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure optimal product offerings and pricing.

Requirements

• 2+ years of buying experience in a FMCG retail and or wholesale environment.
• Proven track record of achieving cost savings and improving supplier performance.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial awareness with a consumer-centric mindset.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Driving product strategy and support the end-to-end buying process. Overseeing seasonal strategies and ensuring the availability base on market conditions, trends and historic numbers.
• Compiling and analysing sales reports and presenting key insights to the Product Manager.
• Supporting the Product Manager with top-line projects.
• Building and maintaining relationships with divisions and providing feedback on performance.
• Staying informed on market trends and competitor activity.
• Monitoring sell-through and executing actions to improve sales performance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers.
• Providing input to the content team for promotions and all related marketing initiatives.

Skills Required

• Decision making      
• Communication   
• Maintaining long-term relationships      
• Influencing      
• Business acumen      
• Compliance      
• Organising                 
• Conflict management skills      
• Advance computer skills      
• Problem solving skills      
• Negotiation skills      
• Sound sales and interpersonal skills

Other Information

• The company can expire jobs at any time at their own discretion.
• VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.
• VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.
• Things to take note of when applying through our Career Portal.
• Use Google Chrome when accessing the portal
• Clear copy of your CV in either PDF or Word
• The CV should not have handwriting on the document
• NB! Only Submit your CV on the Upload CV section of the application form and not a PDF that includes other documents such as ID, Driver’s License and other documents. The application form will make provision for the candidate to upload supporting documents.
• When uploading profile picture, make sure the minimum size uploaded is 300 x 300px