At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of purchasing and supplier negotiations for a diverse product range.
- Company: Join a leading electrical products distributor with a strong UK presence.
- Benefits: Earn £30,000 - £35,000, enjoy profit sharing, and access career development.
- Other info: Dynamic office environment with long-term career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape a new role and make a real impact in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, strong negotiation skills, and data analysis abilities.
A leading electrical products distributor is looking to recruit a Buyer to join its flagship Avonmouth operation. Offering a salary of £30,000 - £35,000, an excellent profit share scheme and the opportunity to shape a newly created role, this is an exciting opportunity to join a growing business and make a genuine impact.
Part of a successful UK group employing over 1,700 people, the business supplies electrical wholesalers across the UK with products from leading manufacturers including Dyson, Bosch, Philips, Morphy Richards and Tassimo. Its extensive range spans domestic appliances, lighting, ventilation, heating products, wiring accessories, switches and sockets, consumer units, cable management systems and more. Operating from a modern 25,000 sq ft purpose-built facility, the company continues to invest heavily in its people, infrastructure and product offering, creating excellent long-term career opportunities.
The Opportunity
As a Buyer, you'll take ownership of purchasing activity across a large and diverse product portfolio. Working closely with suppliers, you'll negotiate pricing and commercial terms, place purchase orders and ensure products are available to meet customer demand whilst maintaining optimum stock levels. This is a commercially focused role that would suit someone with proven buying experience who enjoys negotiating, building supplier relationships and making data-driven purchasing decisions. Alongside purchasing, you'll monitor inventory performance, helping to maximise stock availability whilst optimising inventory investment and stock turnover.
Key responsibilities include:
- Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships
- Negotiating pricing, commercial terms and agreements with suppliers
- Placing and managing high-volume purchase orders
- Managing inventory levels across a large product portfolio
- Monitoring stock turnover, inventory investment and purchasing performance
- Analysing sales trends, buying patterns and demand forecasts
- Identifying opportunities to improve supplier performance and purchasing efficiencies
- Supporting promotional campaigns and product initiatives
- Producing reports and analysing data using Excel
- Working closely with sales, operations and management teams
Why Apply?
- Salary of £30,000 - £35,000
- Excellent profit share scheme
- Comprehensive on-the-job training
- Product and manufacturer training programmes
- Opportunity to complete relevant professional qualifications and courses
- Long-term career progression opportunities within a growing business
- Optional membership of the company's excellent pension scheme
- Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm office-based role
Requirements
To be successful in this role, you should have:
- Previous buying or purchasing experience with responsibility for supplier negotiations, placing purchase orders and managing supplier relationships
- Experience managing stock levels, demand planning or inventory performance
- Strong commercial awareness with the confidence to negotiate and influence suppliers
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- A proactive approach and the confidence to take ownership of a newly created role
- The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced commercial environment
- Experience within electrical wholesale, distribution or another product-based business would be advantageous but is not essential
Buyer employer: Bridgewater Resources UK
Join a leading electrical products distributor in Avonmouth, where you can thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee development and offers a competitive salary of £30,000 - £35,000 along with an excellent profit share scheme. With a commitment to investing in its people and infrastructure, this company provides comprehensive training and long-term career progression opportunities, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a newly created Buyer role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer
✨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 Bridgewater Resources UK.
✨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 Buyer
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 Bridgewater Resources UK:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Bridgewater Resources UK. 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 Bridgewater Resources UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgewater Resources UK
✨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 Bridgewater Resources UK!
✨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 Bridgewater Resources UK. 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 Bridgewater Resources UK's culture.
