Sourcing & Procurement Research Analyst (Cosmetics / CPG)
Somewhere
🇿🇦 Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Somewhere is open to applicants from South Africa. The estimated monthly salary is R18,500 – R37,000 ZAR. This role is suited for mid-level professionals. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
Sourcing & Procurement Research Analyst (Cosmetics / CPG)
Location:RemoteEmployment:Full-time, 6 month contract to hireReports to:Founder / Technical Team
About
We are a U.S.-based private-label manufacturer with 18+ years in clean beauty and sun care. The company develops and produces FDA-registered mineral and chemical sunscreens, clean skincare, aromatherapy, and eco-friendly home care for brand founders and retailers, managing the full path from formulation through packaging, compliance, and fulfillment. Its clients' products are sold at retailers including Whole Foods, Ulta, Sephora, CVS, Thrive Market, and Amazon.
Every client engagement depends on sourcing and qualifying the right manufacturers, materials, packaging, and testing partners, and on navigating FDA/OTC and international cosmetic regulations. That research load is central to the business and needs a dedicated owner.
About the Role
This role exists to own the research and vendor-qualification engine that today sits on the founder and technical team. Because the product is regulated and technical, a large share of the work happens after the sale on the back end: sourcing manufacturers, qualifying raw materials and packaging, lining up testing labs, and confirming regulatory requirements. When that work lives with the technical team, it slows an already long cycle.
You will take that research off their plate, build a vetted vendor and compliance knowledge base, and hand up clean, decision-ready briefs so the technical team can stay focused on formulation and clients get faster answers.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier & Manufacturer Sourcing
* Identify and qualify contract manufacturers, raw-material suppliers, packaging vendors, and testing labs
* Build and maintain a vetted vendor database with pricing, MOQs, lead times, and capabilities
* Run RFQs, compare quotes, and manage first-line vendor communication
Regulatory & Compliance Research
* Research FDA OTC sunscreen requirements and international cosmetic regulations (EU and other target markets)
* Compile requirements for labeling, claims substantiation (e.g., reef-safe, broad-spectrum), and certifications
* Produce clear compliance summaries the technical team can act on
Market & Cost Research
* Research ingredients, competitive products, and pricing to support new formulations and categories
* Benchmark supplier and material costs to support Pure Velocity's low-cost sourcing position
Procurement Support
* Maintain sourcing trackers and keep vendor records current
* Support the back-end, post-sale process so client projects move faster
Required Qualifications
* 3+ years in procurement, sourcing, supply-chain research, or market research
* Strong research rigor: able to find, verify, and synthesize information into concise briefs
* Comfort running RFQs and communicating with vendors
* Excellent written English
Preferred Qualifications
* Cosmetics, personal care, CPG, or other regulated-product experience
* Familiarity with FDA/OTC or international cosmetic regulations
* Experience sourcing from Asian suppliers/manufacturers
* Experience with procurement tools, ERPs, or structured vendor databases
Ideal Candidate Profile
You are intellectually curious and resourceful — you can be handed an unfamiliar supplier or regulatory question and come back with a clear, well-organized answer. You are detail-obsessed where it matters (compliance, specs, pricing), a strong written communicator, and self-directed. You are comfortable working largely async, delivering research overnight, and syncing with the U.S. team in a short morning meeting.
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
At R18,500/month, this role is on par with the average South African remote salary. The USD equivalent ($1,000/mo) benefits from the favourable exchange rate.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
About Somewhere
Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 828 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →