At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and negotiate commercial agreements to enhance performance.
- Company: Established private equity-backed business in the interiors and construction supply sector.
- Benefits: Up to £45,000 salary, 20% bonus, private healthcare, and career progression.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for long-term career growth.
- Why this job: Influence purchasing strategy and build strong supplier partnerships in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing, supplier management, or related sectors is essential.
Axon Moore is exclusively partnering with a well-established, private equity-backed business operating within the interiors, flooring and construction supply sector to recruit an experienced Commercial Buyer / Purchasing & Supplier Relationship Manager. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced purchasing professional who understands the value of strong supplier partnerships, commercial negotiation and strategic buying decisions that improve performance and customer outcomes.
Due to the specialist nature of the products and supplier network, experience within flooring, interiors, construction supply, builders’ merchants, distribution or a similar sector is essential. This is a highly visible role where you will work closely with suppliers, operations, finance, sales and senior leadership to shape purchasing strategy, improve margins and strengthen long-term commercial relationships.
The Opportunity
As Commercial Buyer / Purchasing & Supplier Relationship Manager, you will take ownership of supplier relationships, purchasing activity, product categories and commercial negotiations across the business. This is not a transactional buying role. You will act as a strategic partner to key suppliers, ensuring the business secures the right products, commercial terms and service levels while maintaining strong, collaborative relationships. You’ll have the opportunity to influence purchasing decisions, improve supplier performance and play a key role in supporting the continued growth of the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and manufacturing partners.
- Negotiate pricing, rebates, payment terms, settlement discounts and commercial agreements.
- Lead supplier reviews and drive improvements in service, availability and performance.
- Manage supply issues and escalations, ensuring excellent service levels.
- Challenge cost increases and identify opportunities to improve margins.
- Monitor supplier KPIs including lead times, availability and reliability.
Category & Commercial Buying
- Manage product categories and purchasing activity across multiple channels.
- Review product ranges to ensure they meet customer demand and commercial objectives.
- Identify opportunities for new products, supplier innovation and range improvements.
- Work with internal teams to ensure products are commercially viable and operationally effective.
Commercial Performance & Supplier Partnerships
- Analyse supplier performance, product profitability and purchasing trends.
- Support pricing and margin improvement initiatives.
- Build strategic supplier partnerships that create long-term value.
- Secure additional supplier support including marketing contributions, promotions, training, displays and product initiatives.
Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with Sales, Operations, Finance, Customer Care and Installation teams.
- Ensure purchasing decisions support customer requirements and business objectives.
- Improve communication, processes and commercial visibility across the organisation.
About You
We are looking for a commercially driven purchasing professional who enjoys negotiation, relationship building and delivering value through supplier partnerships. You will ideally have experience within one of the following sectors: Flooring, Interiors, Construction supply, Builders’ merchants, Trade distribution, Housebuilder supply chain. Experience in purchasing, procurement, supplier management, category buying, margin improvement or commercial negotiation is essential.
Most importantly, you will be someone who can build trusted relationships, influence suppliers and identify opportunities to improve both commercial performance and customer experience. Please note: candidates without relevant sector experience are unlikely to be suitable for this opportunity.
Salary & Benefits
- Basic salary up to £45,000
- 20% annual performance bonus
- 23 days holiday increasing to 25 days after 5 years’ service
- Private healthcare
- 4% matched pension contribution
- 5 paid sick days per year
- Monday to Friday working pattern
- 40-hour working week
- Long-term career progression opportunities
- Opportunity to influence purchasing strategy within a growing business
If you’re an experienced Buyer, Senior Buyer, Procurement Specialist or Purchasing Manager with a background in flooring, interiors, construction supply or builders’ merchants, and you’re looking for a role where you can genuinely influence supplier strategy and commercial performance, I’d love to hear from you. Please send your up-to-date CV to (url removed) or call (phone number removed) for more information.
Commercial Buyer / Purchasing & Supplier Relationship Manager in Preston employer: Axon Moore
Axon Moore is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and creative work culture in Ulverston, where innovation thrives. With a competitive salary of up to £45,000, generous benefits including 25 days holiday, and a strong emphasis on employee development, this role as Playground Design Manager offers the chance to lead impactful projects while growing your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Buyer / Purchasing & Supplier Relationship Manager in Preston
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Axon Moore.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Buyer / Purchasing & Supplier Relationship Manager in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Axon Moore:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Axon Moore. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Axon Moore.
How to prepare for a job interview at Axon Moore
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Axon Moore!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Axon Moore. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Axon Moore's culture.
