At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage purchasing activities and build strong supplier relationships to ensure timely material delivery.
- Company: Established manufacturing business in Birmingham with a focus on growth and stability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and professional development.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and play a crucial role in production efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing within manufacturing and strong organisational skills required.
Pertemps are currently recruiting on behalf of a well-established manufacturing business in Birmingham for an experienced Purchaser to join their Operations team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with previous purchasing experience within a manufacturing environment who enjoys building supplier relationships, planning material requirements and ensuring production has the components it needs to operate efficiently. The successful candidate will receive a structured handover from the current Purchaser, who is progressing internally, making this an ideal opportunity to join a stable and growing business.
The Role
As Purchaser, you will play a key role in ensuring raw materials and components are ordered and delivered on time to support production schedules. Working closely with suppliers, production, stock control and warehouse teams, you will manage purchasing activities, monitor stock levels and help drive continuous improvements within the procurement function.
Key Responsibilities
- Raise and process purchase orders using the company's ERP system.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, monitoring pricing, lead times and delivery performance.
- Source materials and components to meet production requirements.
- Use MRP planning tools to forecast material demand and ensure stock availability.
- Review and maintain reorder levels and safety stock to prevent shortages.
- Manage blanket orders and supplier agreements.
- Set up new suppliers and maintain purchasing information within the ERP system.
- Create new material and purchasing codes where required.
- Process internal purchasing requests and source suitable products.
- Liaise with Stock Control, Goods In and Production teams to ensure timely receipt of materials.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance purchasing processes and supplier performance.
The Ideal Candidate
- Previous experience in a Purchaser, Buyer or Procurement role within a manufacturing environment is essential.
- Experience purchasing metals, steel, aluminium or other engineering materials would be highly advantageous.
- Good understanding of MRP (Material Requirements Planning) and ERP systems.
- Experience managing supplier relationships, negotiating lead times and monitoring supplier performance.
- Knowledge of inventory management, reorder levels and stock control.
- Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Confident communicator with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments.
- Proactive and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Purchaser in Birmingham employer: Kemp
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchaser in Birmingham
✨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 Kemp.
✨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 Purchaser in Birmingham
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 Kemp:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Kemp. 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 Kemp.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kemp
✨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 Kemp!
✨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 Kemp. 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 Kemp's culture.
