Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Simoné Sebastian

Simoné Sebastian

Purchasing Specialist
Johannesburg

Summary

Dynamic Purchasing Specialist with proven success at FLSmidth South Africa (Pty) Ltd in strategic supplier negotiation and cost reduction strategies. Expert in procurement processes, achieving significant budget reductions through effective vendor relationship management. Strong communicator and collaborator, enhancing cross-functional teamwork to optimize supply chain operations and ensure timely project delivery.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages

Work History

Purchasing Specialist

Flsmidth Pty Ltd
Johannesburg
10.2021 - Current
  • Maintained accurate records of all purchasing activities, ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations.
  • Resolved discrepancies between invoices and purchase orders in a timely manner, maintaining strong financial controls within the department.
  • Identified cost-saving opportunities with thorough analysis of market trends and supplier capabilities, achieving significant budget reductions (TAT of 1 day) .
  • Enhanced supplier relationships through effective communication and negotiation tactics, leading to improved contract terms.
  • Negotiated favorable payment terms with suppliers, improving cash flow management for the organization.
  • Managed purchase orders from initiation to closure, ensuring accuracy and adherence to established policies and procedures.
  • Coordinated with quality assurance teams to address product defects or non-compliance issues promptly, protecting organizational reputation.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally to ensure timely delivery of materials and services for project completion.
  • Led vendor onboarding initiatives to ensure seamless integration of new suppliers into established procurement processes.
  • Provided training on procurement best practices to internal stakeholders, enabling better collaboration across departments during sourcing activities.
  • Developed comprehensive purchasing reports, providing critical insights into spending patterns and vendor performance.
  • Evaluated emerging procurement technologies for potential integration into existing processes, driving further efficiencies in the purchasing function.
  • Streamlined purchasing processes by implementing efficient procurement strategies, resulting in cost savings.
  • Analyzed customer engineering drawings, specifications and RFQ requirements to perform purchase analysis.
  • Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities.
  • Created purchase orders to monitor stock levels, verify purchase requisitions, and expedite customer orders (SIFOT - 99% annually) .
  • Conducted research, identifying potential vendors and better pricing options.
  • Maintained documentation for all purchases.
  • Collaborated with internal departments to identify and manage demand for material and services.
  • Worked with departments to find new and better items to fulfill diverse needs.
  • Searched for hard-to-find items and found high-quality, reliable vendors.
  • Implemented innovative supply chain management strategies to streamline procurement process.
  • Sourced and qualified bidders, obtained favorable pricing and finalized contracts.
  • Made valuable contributions to planning of promotions, pricing and inventory levels, enhancing inventory flow, revenue, and profits.
  • Working on systems such as Microsoft Word , Excel , Teams , NitroPro , Outlook, Accpac, Enovia , SAP.
  • KPI’s (Savings, preferred supplier usages, turn around times from Requisitions to Purchase Order, enquiries, SIFOT)

Legal Secretary

Conrad Schultz Attorneys
Mpumalanga
11.2020 - 07.2021
  • Assisted in drafting legal documents such as pleadings, motions, and briefs, contributing to successful case resolutions.
  • Scheduled all appointments, appearances and briefings.
  • Organized files for court proceedings.
  • Maintained strict confidentiality of sensitive information to protect client privacy and uphold professional ethics.
  • Improved client satisfaction by providing timely and accurate legal document preparation.
  • Provided exceptional customer service when greeting clients and answering phone calls, fostering a welcoming environment.
  • Facilitated communication between clients and attorneys, ensuring prompt responses to inquiries.
  • Maintained strict confidentiality of all client and firm information, reinforcing firm's commitment to client privacy.
  • Enhanced onboarding process for new clients by developing comprehensive welcome package, setting positive tone for client relationships.
  • Prioritized and handled multiple assignments and maintained firm commitment to deadlines.
  • Prepared and processed invoices for attorney billing.

Sales Receptionist

Afrigrit
Mpumalanga
01.2019 - 06.2020
  • Assisted in achieving sales targets by accurately tracking leads and maintaining organized records.
  • Created detailed reports regarding daily interactions at the front desk that helped improve overall sales strategy and customer service.
  • Maintained a welcoming showroom environment, ensuring cleanliness and attractive product displays for all visitors.
  • Contributed to higher lead conversion rates by effectively qualifying incoming calls and inquiries.
  • Facilitated timely communication between sales team members by routing messages efficiently using various tools like emails or paging systems.
  • Improved office efficiency by managing administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, and inventory management.
  • Participated actively in weekly meetings with the sales team to provide reception-related updates aiding better decision-making processes.
  • Enhanced customer experience with thorough product knowledge and prompt assistance.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by providing friendly and efficient service at the sales reception area.
  • Handled high call volumes calmly, ensuring every caller received a positive experience with the company.
  • Streamlined appointment scheduling, resulting in improved time management for sales staff.
  • Welcomed customers with friendly greeting, answered general questions, gathered nature of visit and directed to specific offices.
  • Organized, maintained and updated information in computer databases.
  • Assisted internal staff with clerical and administrative needs to maximize efficiency and team productivity.
  • Collected and distributed messages to team members and managers to support open communication and high customer service.
  • Tracked important information in Excel spreadsheets and ran reports or generated graphs using data.
  • Compiled information from files and research to satisfy information requests.
  • Balanced employee availability, customer schedules, and maximum load levels when scheduling appointments.

Office Administrator

TonTrac
Mpumalanga
10.2017 - 04.2018
  • Coordinated communications, financial processing, registration, recordkeeping, and other administrative functions.
  • Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors.
  • Maintained electronic and paper filing systems for easy retrieval of information.
  • Tracked office supplies and restocked low items to keep team members on-task and productive.
  • Increased customer satisfaction through professional handling of inquiries and prompt resolution of issues.
  • Reconciled account files and produced monthly reports.
  • Maximized office space utilization by maintaining a clean, organized work environment that encouraged productivity and efficiency.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment by fostering strong working relationships among colleagues.
  • Boosted productivity by prioritizing tasks, managing schedules, and coordinating meetings for staff members.
  • Demonstrated exceptional multitasking abilities while juggling diverse responsibilities, including reception duties and ad-hoc administrative tasks.
  • Reduced administrative errors by diligently proofreading office documents and maintaining accurate records.
  • Facilitated smooth operations by maintaining updated inventory records, anticipating supply needs, and placing timely orders for essential materials.
  • Improved workplace efficiency with the regular maintenance of office equipment and proactive troubleshooting of technical issues.
  • Expedited invoice processing by accurately reviewing vendor submissions, reconciling accounts payable discrepancies, and conducting timely payments.
  • Safeguarded company information by maintaining strict confidentiality protocols and ensuring secure document storage practices.
  • Enhanced team collaboration with the establishment of clear communication channels and guidelines.
  • Optimized budget management by monitoring expenses, negotiating supplier contracts, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
  • Implemented digital document management system, reducing paper waste and promoting environmental sustainability.
  • Streamlined inter-departmental communication with introduction of centralized online platform.
  • Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.

Education

Supply Chain Practitioner (New Curriculum) - SAQA ID 110942, NQF Level 05

Commerce Edge
Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2023 - Current

Business Administration NQF Level 4 - Business Administration

Progression
Lyndhurst, South Africa
01.2022 - 12.2022

High School Diploma -

Witbank Technical High School
Witbank
01.2016 - 12.2016

Skills

Strategic supplier negotiation

Supply chain optimization

Strategic sourcing

Import-export regulations

Supplier evaluation

Global sourcing

Vendor relationship management

Purchase order processing

Cost reduction strategies

Procurement

Negotiation

Product sourcing

Time management

Timeline

Supply Chain Practitioner (New Curriculum) - SAQA ID 110942, NQF Level 05

Commerce Edge
01.2023 - Current

Business Administration NQF Level 4 - Business Administration

Progression
01.2022 - 12.2022

Purchasing Specialist

Flsmidth Pty Ltd
10.2021 - Current

Legal Secretary

Conrad Schultz Attorneys
11.2020 - 07.2021

Sales Receptionist

Afrigrit
01.2019 - 06.2020

Office Administrator

TonTrac
10.2017 - 04.2018

High School Diploma -

Witbank Technical High School
01.2016 - 12.2016

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Simoné SebastianPurchasing Specialist