Ahmed Irvin Smith
Procurement Officer
Lydenburg
Summary
A Procurement professional with comprehensive background in supply chain management and vendor relations. Proven track record in optimizing procurement processes and securing favorable contracts. Known for collaborative approach and adaptability to dynamic business needs, leveraging negotiation and analytical skills.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Procurement Officer
TDS Projects Group (Pty) Ltd
06.2025 - Current
- Developed and strengthened supplier relationships.
- Evaluated vendor performance regularly to maintain reliable supply chain operations and address issues promptly.
- Maintained detailed records of all procurement activities for reference purposes as well as for auditing and compliance.
- Managed procurement projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely delivery of goods and services.
- Ensured compliance with organizational policies, legal requirements, and industry standards in all procurement activities.
- Built relationships with vendors to negotiate ideal terms for purchases.
- Improved supplier relationships through regular communication, timely payments, and transparent dealings.
- Prepared accurate purchase orders using relevant software applications, ensuring clear communication of requirements to suppliers.
- Achieved cost savings by conducting thorough market research before initiating the purchasing process.
- Developed strong partnerships with vendors to secure favorable pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
- Reduced costs with meticulous supplier negotiation and strict adherence to budget constraints.
- Sourced high-quality products by establishing stringent selection criteria for potential suppliers based on quality, price, and service reputation.
- Maintained current understanding of pricing structures, market conditions, and trends in industry.
- Evaluated internal needs and developed plans for maintaining optimal supply levels.
- Organized competitive bidding processes among suppliers to ensure fair pricing opportunities while maintaining high product quality standards.
- Supported sustainability efforts within the organization by procuring environmentally friendly materials whenever possible.
Founder / Managing Member
Zerbaprox CC
05.2010 - 06.2025
- General management of the company including hiring of staff, sourcing and negotiating new contracts, sourcing & supply of Mining & Engineering consumables all administration duties relating to the day to day managing of the company.
Warehouse & Procurement Manager
Alphamin Resources, Bisie Tin Project
02.2017 - 05.2018
- Develop, manage and maintain procurement procedures to ensure Quality Management System adhered to
- Manage documentation and records within the Quality Management System, Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Quality Management System
- Apply and continuously improve procurement procedures
- Conduct audits of the Quality Management System
- Comply with requirements of the Quality Management System
- Prepare and manage the budget for the procurement department
- Manage expenditure against the budget
- Manage risks in own work/business environment
- Recruiting suitable candidates for owners team
- Induction of new recruits
- Preparation of training manuals for procurement tasks
- Transfer knowledge and best practices to local employee
- Develop standard operating procedures for procurement and importation of goods
- Implement standard operating procedures for procurement
- Forecasting likely levels of demand for services, products and/or component parts to be used in project construction and operational processes
- Liaising between suppliers, manufacturers, relevant internal departments and customers
- Forecasting price trends and their impact on future activities of the company
- Develop local and regional market knowledge and contacts for new products and services
- Develop ABM's purchasing strategy
- Identifying potential suppliers
- Prepare monthly reports and statistics on procurement function
- Evaluate bids and make recommendations based on commercial and technical factors
- Negotiating and agreeing contracts and monitoring their progress
- Keeping contract files for future reference
- Ensuring suppliers are aware of business objectives
- Liaising with users and other relevant parties
Stores & Warehouse Manager
Ruashi Mining - DRC
06.2009 - 04.2010
- Responsible for replenishment, safe storage, issuing and receiving of all stores stock items and reagents in main store, lay down yards, diesel bay, gas store diesel bay, bonded stores, acid tanks and reagent Stores.
- Import licences, full control over all functions and reports.
Senior Procurement Official Imports
MMK-Democratic Republic of Congo
08.2008 - 01.2009
- In charge of procurement related functions for imports, securing of the best possible prices, payment terms and conditions, import licenses Bureaux VERITAS inspections and transportation.
- Ensure that buyers do regular follow up on outstanding purchase orders and daily updates to the Procurement Manager
Materials Supervisor-Storeman
Murray & Roberts Cementation
03.2007 - 03.2008
Buyer
Assmang Chrome Dwarsrivier Mine
10.2006 - 03.2007
- Review and maintain processes and policies relating to company procurement policies.
- Raise RFQ and negotiate new or existing service parts and packaging prices. This involves Purchase Order Agreements, Contracts, and Payment Deviations.
- Scoping and ensuring of correct specifications and quantities for all components.
- Assist Stores Supr. with negotiations and implementation CAPEX orders.
- Initiate vendor code creation and ensuring compliance to company policies.
- The selection of alternative Suppliers in support of the Company's short / long term strategy and competitive position.
- To deliver material cost reduction in line with Company's objectives specified.
- Monitor and control all expediting relating to late and outstanding orders.
- To identify new source opportunities and obtaining quotations for after market parts and stock items timorously.
- Source Suppliers in line with product / service requirements and monitor Supplier performance.
- To ensure that all price increase requests are processed within the specified period.
- To evaluate and negotiate all price revision requests presented to ensure that all prices are constantly kept at the minimum levels compared to OE.
- Develop and maintain the relationship with Suppliers and maximize integration.
Area Manager (Mpumalanga)
Skyland Transport
09.2003 - 12.2004
- Canvas new clients in Mpumalanga
- Arrange return loads for trucks
- Service all mines in local area
- Control all Skyland vehicles and drivers in Mpumalanga.
Stores Controller
Xstrata Alloys Thorncliffe Mine
01.2001 - 03.2003
- Full control over plant stores, stores personnel, consumable stock and complete buying functions.
- Continuous interaction with plant manager, Engineering Sup. regarding critical stock.
- Focus on safety, access control and housekeeping.
- Daily feedback to management.
Creditors Controller
Xstrata Alloys Thorncliffe Mine
02.1998 - 01.2001
- Responsible for full creditors function
- Matching of goods received notes delivery notes to tax invoices
- Invoice posting on Impact accounts Payable module
- Generating of A/P journals
- Compiling creditor's reconciliations
- Preparing of payments and Remittances
- Forwarding of payments to creditors.
Issuer, Receiver & Driver
Xstrata Alloys Thorncliffe Mine
05.1997 - 02.1998
- Issuing and receiving as per Company procedure
- Capturing of all goods received notes and requisitions
- Occasional collecting of stock items From suppliers
- Assist with buying functions.
Receiving and Dispatch Supervisor
Lebowa Wholesalers
04.1990 - 02.1997
- General supervision of staff
- Identification of low stock
- Obtaining of quotations
- Placing of orders
- Receiving of all stock
- Capturing of all invoices
- Check and adjust new selling prices
- Allocation of bin numbers
- Allocation of price labels
Education
High School Diploma -
Middleburg Senior Secondary School
Middelburg 04.2001 -
Skills
Supplier relationships
Personal Information
- Passport Number: M00048535
- ID Number: 730224 5264 083
- Date of Birth: 24 February 1973
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: South African
Names
Ahmed Irvin
Passport Expiry Date
2029-09-01
Home Address
No 12 Third Street, Extension 2, Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, 1120
Home Tel
073 273 0801
Next Of Kin
Nicolette Smith, Wife 082 431 5379
Health
Excellent
References
- Mario Gericke, +27 71 6036161
- Mr. J. Herbs, +27 13 230 5377, +27 60 574 4481
- Mr. Fred Bosse, +27 83 225 2999, +255 76 725 0327
- Grant Dempsey, +243 81 265 3446, +27 82 827 9903
- Eben Swanepoel, +27 71 677 8774
- Trevor Faber, +27 82 330 9782, +243 81 271 9902
- Ruan Potgieter +27 72 133 5181
Timeline
Procurement Officer
TDS Projects Group (Pty) Ltd
06.2025 - Current
Warehouse & Procurement Manager
Alphamin Resources, Bisie Tin Project
02.2017 - 05.2018
Founder / Managing Member
Zerbaprox CC
05.2010 - 06.2025
Stores & Warehouse Manager
Ruashi Mining - DRC
06.2009 - 04.2010
Senior Procurement Official Imports
MMK-Democratic Republic of Congo
08.2008 - 01.2009
Materials Supervisor-Storeman
Murray & Roberts Cementation
03.2007 - 03.2008
Buyer
Assmang Chrome Dwarsrivier Mine
10.2006 - 03.2007
Area Manager (Mpumalanga)
Skyland Transport
09.2003 - 12.2004
High School Diploma -
Middleburg Senior Secondary School
04.2001 -
Stores Controller
Xstrata Alloys Thorncliffe Mine
01.2001 - 03.2003
Creditors Controller
Xstrata Alloys Thorncliffe Mine
02.1998 - 01.2001
Issuer, Receiver & Driver
Xstrata Alloys Thorncliffe Mine
05.1997 - 02.1998
Receiving and Dispatch Supervisor
Lebowa Wholesalers
04.1990 - 02.1997