Purchasing Officer

The Purchasing Officer is responsible for supporting the procurement function by managing supplier relationships, placing and monitoring purchase orders, coordinating international deliveries, maintaining inventory levels, and ensuring goods and services are sourced efficiently, cost-effectively, and in line with company requirements. The role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal teams to ensure smooth and timely procurement operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Procurement & Order Management
  • Raise and manage purchase orders for products, materials, and services based on business requirements and stock levels.
  • Monitor purchase orders from placement through to delivery, ensuring goods arrive on time and meet required specifications.
  • Track international shipments and provide regular updates on delivery progress.
  • Maintain accurate procurement records, including supplier details, purchase orders, invoices, and delivery documentation.
• International Delivery Coordination
  • Support the coordination of global deliveries, including import clearance, duties, transportation arrangements, cold storage requirements, and bonded warehouse processes.
  • Liaise with freight providers, customs agents, and suppliers to resolve delivery issues promptly.
  • Communicate delivery updates and potential delays across relevant departments.
• Supplier & Vendor Management
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers, vendors, and wholesalers.
  • Negotiate pricing, lead times, and commercial terms to achieve the best value for the business.
  • Review supplier quotations and evaluate offers based on cost, quality, reliability, and service.
  • Identify and develop relationships with new suppliers where required.
• Inventory Management
  • Monitor stock levels and support effective inventory control.
  • Work closely with inventory, production, and operations teams to ensure materials and products are available when required.
  • Assist with forecasting requirements and identifying potential supply risks.
  • Support seasonal planning and purchasing decisions based on business trends.
• Administration & Reporting
  • Provide administrative support to procurement and finance teams.
  • Assist with cost tracking, estimates, budget monitoring, and supplier performance reviews.
  • Maintain accurate documentation relating to purchasing activities, invoices, deliveries, and supplier communications.
  • Use procurement systems and Microsoft Office tools to manage information effectively.
• Market Research & Cost Improvement
  • Research market trends, supplier options, and opportunities for cost savings.
  • Analyse supplier proposals and identify efficiencies within the procurement process.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives within purchasing and supply chain operations.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance
  • Ensure purchased goods meet company quality standards, specifications, and requirements.
  • Work with suppliers to resolve quality issues and ensure corrective actions are implemented where necessary.
  • Maintain compliance with company procurement procedures.

Skills & Experience Required

• Essential
  • Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or a similar role.
  • Strong knowledge of purchase order processes and supplier management.
  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Confident communication and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
  • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and purchasing systems.
  • Ability to analyse costs, supplier quotations, and identify savings opportunities.
• Desirable
  • Experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
  • Knowledge of international shipping, customs procedures, duties, cold storage, or bonded warehousing.
  • Understanding of production processes and supply chain timelines.
  • Experience working with ERP or vendor management systems.
  • Awareness of seasonal purchasing cycles and market trends.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised and methodical.
• A confident communicator who enjoys building relationships.
• Calm and effective under pressure.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and solution focused.
• Analytical with strong problem-solving skills.
• Able to manage competing priorities and work to strict deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and quality.

Annual leave arrangements

Please note that our client operates an annual company closure schedule, with approximately 12 days of the 20-day annual leave entitlement allocated to these planned closure periods. The closure dates are set in advance each year and are communicated clearly to all employees, allowing individuals to plan their remaining annual leave accordingly. Candidates should be comfortable working within this fixed annual leave structure.

Lemoncloud prides itself on partnering with places of work that encourage diversity, equality, and inclusion. At Lemoncloud we endeavour to get back to you within 48 hours of your application.