At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy and develop supplier partnerships in a dynamic healthcare environment.
- Company: Join a leading UK distributor focused on innovation and customer excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, car, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for continuous improvement and team development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that combines strategic thinking with commercial delivery.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in Buying or Procurement, with strong negotiation and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
- Head of Commercial Buying
- Manchester
- £60,000 + Bonus + Car and Benefits
If working for a business with a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and customer excellence is important to you, then this opportunity could be exactly what you're looking for.
We're partnering with a leading UK distributor within the healthcare and care sector that is looking to appoint an experienced
Head of Commercial Buying .
This is a highly influential leadership role where you'll shape the commercial buying strategy, develop strategic supplier partnerships and drive profitable growth through effective procurement and category management.
Working closely with the senior leadership team, you'll lead the buying and procurement function, ensuring the business continues to deliver exceptional value, resilient supply chains and market-leading customer service.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys combining strategic thinking with commercial delivery and wants to make a genuine impact across the organisation.
Ideal for someone with experience in Healthcare, Medical Devices, Care Home Supplies, Personal Care, Cleaning & Hygiene or other regulated product environments.
What Does the Role Entail?
- Developing and implementing the company's Buying & Procurement Strategy in line with commercial objectives.
- Leading category management activity, creating long-term category strategies that maximise growth, profitability and customer value.
- Building and maintaining strategic supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements including pricing, rebates, payment terms and service levels.
- Driving gross margin improvement, cost savings and supplier performance across the product portfolio.
- Identifying new product opportunities, market trends and innovation to strengthen the company's offering.
- Developing supplier segmentation strategies and rationalising the supplier base while maintaining supply resilience.
- Working collaboratively across Sales, Finance, Customer Success and Supply Chain to ensure procurement decisions support wider business objectives.
- Managing commercial risk through robust supplier governance, continuity planning and multi-sourcing strategies.
- Producing procurement dashboards, category performance reporting and commercial insights to support business decisions.
- Ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory, quality, ethical sourcing and sustainability standards.
- Leading, coaching and developing the procurement team to create a high-performing, collaborative culture.
- Supporting pricing strategies through market benchmarking and commercial analysis.
Skills & Experience
- Proven leadership experience within Buying, Procurement or Category Management.
- Strong commercial negotiation skills with experience managing complex supplier agreements.
- Experience developing category strategies and delivering measurable margin improvements.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret commercial data and market trends.
- Experience working with ERP systems, procurement reporting tools and advanced Excel.
- Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and build long-term supplier partnerships.
- Knowledge of regulated sectors such as Healthcare, Medical Devices, Care Home Supplies or similar would be highly advantageous.
- Passion for continuous improvement, innovation and delivering exceptional customer outcomes.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to develop high-performing teams.
Want to recruit a similar role?
Cast UK is a leading executive consultancy, providing national recruitment solutions to both clients and candidates.
Specialising in, HR, Procurement, Buying, Supply Chain, and Logistics, each member of our specialist team has a professional background specific to their recruiting sector.
With this unique insight and knowledge, our consultants are able to place individuals from trainee through to main board.
For more information on Cast UK or to discuss how we can find talent for your business then please visit www. castuk. com
Head of Buying in Manchester employer: Cast UK Limited Careers
At Cast UK, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth for IT 1st Line Support professionals. Located in Theale, our team enjoys competitive salaries, exposure to diverse technologies, and opportunities for career advancement within a leading multi-site organisation. Join us to develop your technical skills while providing high-quality IT support in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Buying in Manchester
✨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 Cast UK Limited Careers.
✨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 Head of Buying in Manchester
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 Cast UK Limited Careers:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Cast UK Limited Careers. 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 Cast UK Limited Careers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cast UK Limited Careers
✨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 Cast UK Limited Careers!
✨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 Cast UK Limited Careers. 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 Cast UK Limited Careers's culture.
