Shehaam Davids

Procurement Practitioner at De Beers Marine, responsible for managing procurement across various units (HR, Operations, Technical Services, etc.), from requisition to payment. Key duties include:

• Purchasing goods and services, adjudicating tenders, sourcing vendors, and benchmarking pricing.
• Managing commercial risks, ensuring adherence to policies, and maximizing cost savings.
• Surveying the market, negotiating trade terms, discounts, and lead times with suppliers.
• Overseeing technical purchasing and proposing master contracts.
• Drafting tenders, adjudication reports, deviation notices, and contract approval forms.
• Evaluating quotes/tenders and recommending based on commercial and technical factors.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and import regulations.
• Managing a purchasing portfolio of ±400 lines with a focus on BBBEE Preferential Procurement.

Procurement Officer & Buyer at Freddy Hirsch, the largest supplier of industrial spices, casings, and meat processing equipment in the Southern Hemisphere. Key responsibilities include:

• Managing ±320 SKUs and maintaining optimal stock levels for production.
• Forecasting and arranging logistics for 14 national branches in South Africa.
• Demand planning, detailed product costing, and strategic sourcing of food commodities and packaging.
• Supplier and contract negotiations, with regular audits and factory visits.
• Conducting update meetings on production requirements and supply constraints.
• Managing a purchasing budget of R230 million annually, driving cost-saving projects.
• Strong understanding of the Unity inventory system.

Procurement Officer & Buyer at Cape Herb & Spice, specialising in sourcing, manufacturing, and packaging for the FMCG sector. Key responsibilities include:

• Demand planning, sales analysis, and forecasting against KPIs.
• Managing purchasing budget for an inventory of R115 million and projecting optimal stock levels.
• Preparing costings and market information for the sales team.
• Logistics planning and arranging delivery from Cape Town port to various warehouses.
• Calculating landed costs for imported products and forecasting cash flow (R10 million per month).
• Developing a network of local and international suppliers, negotiating prices, and managing supply agreements.
• Strategic sourcing of food commodities, packaging, and related materials.
• Ensuring timely and complete deliveries in collaboration with the supply chain.
• Knowledge of BRC, fair trade, and other safety and quality certifications.
• Proficient in Syspro inventory system and understanding supply chain, logistics, import/export procedures, air/road freight, and legislation.
• Expertise in tariffs, customs, and rebates, with regular supplier audits.