Animal Feed Procurement Manager

Introduction

Karan Beef Farming (Pty) Ltd is looking for experienced Animal Feed Procurement Manager who will be responsible for the strategic, commercial and operational procurement of animal feed commodities, raw materials, additives and related services for the entire Karan Beef Group. The role ensures that all sites receive the correct quality and quantity of feed inputs at the required time and at the best sustainable total cost. The incumbent develops sourcing strategies, manages supplier relationships and contracts, monitors commodity markets, coordinates demand and delivery requirements with operational stakeholders, and protects continuity of supply. The role works closely with the Feedmill and Procurement Manager, Feedmill operations, nutrition, finance, logistics, quality assurance and site management to optimize feed cost, inventory levels, product quality and supplier performance while maintaining sound governance and accurate procurement records.

Duties & Responsibilities

Group Feed Procurement Strategy and Planning

• Develop and implement a Group-wide procurement strategy for all animal feed commodities, ingredients, additives and related services.

• Consolidate demand forecasts from feedmills, feedlots and other operations into annual, monthly and weekly procurement plans.

• Align purchasing plans with feeding programmes, production volumes, storage capacity, working-capital targets and seasonal availability.

• Identify critical supply dependencies and establish alternative sources and contingency arrangements.

Commodity Sourcing and Supplier Management

• Source grain, roughage, protein meals, by-products, minerals, premixes, additives and other approved feed inputs from capable and competitive suppliers.

• Conduct supplier identification, due diligence, evaluation and onboarding in accordance with Group requirements.

• Maintain an approved supplier base and develop strategic relationships with producers, traders, processors and logistics providers.

• Measure supplier performance against price, quality, quantity, delivery reliability, service, responsiveness and contract compliance.

• Address recurring supplier failures and implement corrective or alternative sourcing actions.

Commercial Negotiation and Contract Management

• Obtain and evaluate quotations, tenders and commercial proposals using transparent and defensible procurement processes.

• Negotiate competitive pricing, payment terms, volume commitments, delivery arrangements, quality parameters and remedies for non-performance.

• Prepare commercial recommendations and obtain approvals within the applicable delegation of authority.

• Maintain a central contract register and monitor contracted volumes, validity periods, pricing mechanisms, obligations and renewals.

• Ensure purchase orders and contractual terms accurately reflect approved specifications and agreements.

• Maintain and ensure continuous improvement in supplier relationships.

Demand, Inventory and Delivery Coordination

• Coordinate order placement and delivery schedules with feedmill, site, logistics and supplier stakeholders.

• Monitor stock levels, consumption, open orders and projected requirements to prevent shortages, excessive stock and avoidable emergency purchases.

• Optimize order quantities, delivery frequency, storage utilization and transport costs across the Group.

• Follow up delayed or short deliveries and resolve quantity, documentation and scheduling discrepancies promptly.

• Support accurate goods receipt, stock reconciliation and invoice matching processes.

Quality, Compliance and Traceability

• Procure only approved products that meet agreed nutritional, technical, safety and quality specifications.

• Work with nutrition, quality assurance and operational teams to verify supplier documentation, certificates of analysis and product conformity.

• Escalate and coordinate the resolution of rejected, contaminated, damaged, off-specification or otherwise non-compliant material.

• Maintain procurement and supplier records that support product traceability, audits, claims and regulatory compliance.

• Ensure sourcing decisions comply with procurement policies, approved specifications and applicable animal feed requirements.

Market Intelligence and Procurement Risk Management

• Monitor local and international commodity prices, crop outlooks, exchange-rate movements, weather, fuel costs, transport constraints and supply trends.

• Provide regular market intelligence and purchasing recommendations to the Feedmill and Procurement Manager.

• Identify price, supply, quality, logistics, concentration and counterparty risks and recommend practical mitigation measures.

• Evaluate forward-buying, fixed-price, formula-based and spot purchasing options within approved mandates.

• Maintain contingency plans for critical ingredients and periods of market disruption.

Cost Control, Reporting and Governance

• Track purchase prices, freight, landed cost, budget performance, price variances, savings and cost-avoidance initiatives.

• Prepare accurate procurement reports, forecasts, dashboards and exception reports for management.

• Maintain complete records of quotations, approvals, contracts, orders, supplier performance, claims and related correspondence.

• Ensure segregation of duties, approval compliance and transparent procurement decision-making.

• Support internal and external audits and promptly address procurement control weaknesses

• Stakeholder Management, Continuous Improvement and General Duties

• Build effective working relationships with the Feedmill and Procurement Manager, site management, feedmill teams, nutrition, finance, logistics, quality assurance and suppliers.

• Facilitate regular procurement planning and supplier performance discussions and communicate material risks promptly.

• Identify opportunities to standardize specifications, consolidate volumes, improve systems and reduce total supply-chain cost.

• Promote responsible sourcing, ethical conduct and continuous improvement in procurement practices.

• Perform any other reasonable duties related to feed procurement and supply continuity as instructed.

• The duties listed above are not exhaustive and may be amended in line with operational requirements.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Requirements

• A relevant bachelor’s degree or diploma in supply chain management, procurement, commerce, agriculture, animal science, agribusiness or a related field.

• A recognized procurement or supply chain qualification will be advantageous.

• At least 5 years’ relevant procurement experience, preferably involving agricultural commodities, animal feed ingredients, grain, oilseed products, roughage, additives or high-volume raw materials.

• Demonstrated experience in supplier negotiations, contracts, commodity pricing, demand planning, inventory management and procurement reporting.

• Sound understanding of animal feed supply chains, feed quality considerations, commodity markets, transport logistics and commercial risk.

• Strong computer literacy, including advanced Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP, purchasing or inventory systems.

• A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to Group sites, suppliers and storage facilities.

• Conversant in both English and Afrikaans

• Excellent leadership skills

• Excellent people skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Strong numeracy skills and attention to detail is paramount.

• Must be prepared to work under pressure.

• Must be able to work weekends, overtime and on public holidays.

Package & Remuneration

Market Related

Interested?

Please email your CV to recruit@karanbeef.com ( please put the job title   ANIMAL FEED PROCUREMENT MANAGER in the subject line ) or visit our Website http://www.karanbeef.com .

We reserve the right not to make an appointment to any advertised position.

Karan Beef is an equal opportunity Company, and pref