At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead purchasing and supply chain operations while driving sustainability initiatives.
- Company: Join Bower Collective, a fast-growing B Corp focused on eliminating plastic waste.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, share options, and 33 days holiday per year.
- Other info: Be part of a purpose-driven team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability and work closely with founders.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations and supply chain, ideally in ecommerce or startups.
Purchasing & Operations Manager – Bower Collective
Location: Hybrid, with regular travel to Bath Head Office (weekly) and Swindon Warehouse (fortnightly)
Reports To: CEO, Co-Founder
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £41,000 – £45,000
Company Overview
Bower Collective is a natural household products business on a mission to eliminate plastic waste. We are a fast growing subscription ecommerce brand and multi‑award‑winning B Corp. Our reusable packaging system, BowerPack™, embodies our vision of helping everyone enjoy a more sustainable life. Learn more at
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced, proactive, and hands‑on Purchasing & Operations Manager to own purchasing, supply chain, and product operations at Bower Collective. This role sits at the heart of the business, balancing operational rigour with a genuine passion for sustainability and continuous improvement.
You’ll manage procurement for all our suppliers, oversee our supply chain and stock management ensuring all products are carefully accounted for from suppliers all the way through to our website and customers. You will also lead any technology and automation projects needed to help this function scale efficiently. You’ll also take ownership of key sustainability and compliance initiatives, including EPR reporting and B Corp certification, and provide operational support to our founders as needed.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing, Supply Chain & Procurement
- Manage end‑to‑end procurement, including supplier sourcing, negotiation, and relationship management.
- Line management of our Purchasing & Supply Chain Associate
- Own purchasing plans and stock replenishment schedules, aligning supply with demand forecasts.
- Monitor supplier performance against SLAs, cost, and quality standards, resolving issues as they arise.
- Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency and resilience across the supply chain.
Business Operations, Fulfilment & Stock Management
- Oversee day‑to‑day product operations, ensuring smooth order flow of products from suppliers through to fulfilment and delivery.
- Weekly check‑ins with the Customer Happiness team to ensure operational and financial success of that function
- Cross‑functional project leadership and overseeing of new product and campaign launches.
- Manage stock levels, accuracy, and reconciliation across warehouse and third‑party locations.
- Work closely with the warehouse and fulfilment team to ensure on‑time, accurate order processing for both D2C and B2B channels.
- Troubleshoot operational issues and put in place processes that scale with the business.
- WMS systems expert, support operations team with sales impacts on picking sequence and low stock alerts.
Operations Technology & Automation
- Lead projects that improve and automate our operations tech stack, including Shopify, Recharge, and warehouse/inventory systems.
- Identify manual or inefficient processes and design technology‑driven solutions to resolve them.
- Partner with engineering, data, and external vendors to scope, implement, and roll out new operational tools.
- Own reporting and data accuracy across operational systems, using tools such as BigQuery and Mixpanel where relevant.
Sustainability & Compliance
- Lead Bower's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reporting and compliance obligations.
- Own and drive Bower's B Corp certification and recertification process, coordinating input across the business.
- Champion sustainability best practice across operations, embedding B Corp principles into day‑to‑day ways of working.
- Keep abreast of relevant regulatory and compliance changes affecting the business.
Founder & Operational Support
- Provide hands‑on operational support to the founders as needed, including light‑touch HR and people operations tasks.
- Support Warehouse on monthly Payroll checks
- Support ad‑hoc projects that require operational rigour and a proactive, get‑it‑done attitude.
About You
- Proven experience in an operations & supply chain, ideally within ecommerce or a fast‑growing start‑up.
- Strong understanding of purchasing, supply chain, and stock management principles.
- Systems‑oriented, with strong expertise in using technology and AI tools to drive detailed processes
- Experience with, or strong interest in, sustainability, compliance, or B Corp principles.
- Highly organised, hands‑on, and comfortable working across multiple priorities in a small team.
- Excellent communication skills and confidence working directly with founders and senior stakeholders.
Desirable
- Experience with EPR reporting or B Corp certification processes.
- Familiarity with Shopify, Recharge, or similar ecommerce/subscription platforms.
- Experience supporting founders or senior leadership with ad‑hoc or HR‑related tasks.
- Knowledge of D2C ecommerce fulfillment and B2B order flows.
- Experience with WMS or ERP systems
Benefits
- £41,000 – £45,000
- Share options
- 33 days holiday per year (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Cycle to Work scheme
- 35% employee discount on all products
Purchasing Operations Manager in Swindon employer: Bower Collective
Bower Collective is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises sustainability and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects while enjoying generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday and share options. Located in Bath, our hybrid model allows for flexibility and regular engagement with a passionate team dedicated to making a real-world impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing Operations Manager in Swindon
✨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 Bower Collective.
✨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 Purchasing Operations Manager in Swindon
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 Bower Collective:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Bower Collective. 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 Bower Collective.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bower Collective
✨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 Bower Collective!
✨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 Bower Collective. 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 Bower Collective's culture.
