At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage purchasing and procurement activities, ensuring stock availability and supplier performance.
- Company: Join a successful and growing business in Reading, Berkshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, private healthcare, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with opportunities for growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing or supply chain management and strong negotiation skills.
Location: Reading, Berkshire
Salary: £35,000 - £42,000 DOE
Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent | Office Based
Join a Growing Business Where Purchasing Makes a Difference
We are recruiting for an experienced Purchasing Manager to join a successful and growing business based in Reading, Berkshire. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in purchasing, procurement, buying or supply chain who enjoys building supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements and ensuring products are sourced efficiently to meet customer demand.
As Purchasing Manager, you will take ownership of the company's purchasing and procurement activities, ensuring stock availability, managing supplier performance, improving inventory control and driving continuous improvements across the supply chain. Working closely with the Commercial, Sales, Warehouse and Finance teams, you'll play a key role in supporting business growth while maintaining excellent service levels.
The Role:
As Purchasing Manager, you'll be responsible for managing the day-to-day purchasing and procurement function, ensuring products are purchased competitively, delivered on time and maintained at optimum stock levels. This is a varied role offering responsibility for supplier management, purchasing strategy, inventory management and process improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day purchasing and procurement activities across the business.
- Raise and manage purchase orders in line with demand forecasting and stock requirements.
- Develop strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.
- Negotiate pricing, commercial agreements, lead times and supplier terms.
- Monitor supplier performance and resolve any supply or delivery issues.
- Track purchase orders and communicate delivery updates to internal departments.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and update ERP and inventory management systems.
- Develop and maintain ABC stock classifications to improve purchasing efficiencies.
- Monitor inventory levels and identify replenishment requirements.
- Improve stock availability whilst reducing excess inventory and supporting business cash flow.
- Work closely with Sales, Commercial, Warehouse and Finance teams to ensure products are available when required.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve purchasing processes.
- Research new suppliers and evaluate alternative sourcing opportunities.
- Attend supplier meetings and relevant industry trade shows.
- Produce purchasing reports and analyse supplier performance.
- Ensure purchased products meet required quality, technical and commercial standards.
- Drive continuous improvement across purchasing, procurement and supply chain processes.
About You
To be successful in this Purchasing Manager role you will have experience in purchasing, procurement, buying or supply chain management within a fast-paced commercial environment. You'll be commercially aware, highly organised and confident negotiating with suppliers whilst managing stock effectively.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as a Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager, Senior Buyer, Buyer or Supply Chain professional.
- Strong purchasing and procurement experience.
- Excellent supplier relationship management skills.
- Experience negotiating pricing, contracts and commercial agreements.
- Strong stock control and inventory management experience.
- Experience raising and managing purchase orders.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritise workload within a fast-paced environment.
Desirable
- Experience within wholesale, distribution, construction, electrical, engineering or technical products.
- Experience using ERP, purchasing or inventory management systems.
- Experience using Intact iQ, SAP, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics or similar ERP software.
- Knowledge of forecasting, demand planning and inventory optimisation.
- CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS would be advantageous.
What's on Offer
- £35,000 - £42,000 salary depending on experience.
- Permanent, full-time position.
- Office-based role in Reading, Berkshire.
- Pension scheme.
- Private healthcare following successful completion of probation.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunity to make a real impact within a growing business.
Purchasing manager employer: Remarkable Jobs
Join a dynamic and growing business in Reading, Berkshire, where your role as Purchasing Manager will be pivotal in shaping the company's procurement strategies and supplier relationships. With a competitive salary, a supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional growth, you will thrive in an environment that values collaboration and continuous improvement. Enjoy benefits such as a pension scheme and private healthcare, all while making a meaningful impact in a fast-paced commercial setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing manager
✨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 Remarkable Jobs.
✨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 manager
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 Remarkable Jobs:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Remarkable Jobs. 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 Remarkable Jobs.
How to prepare for a job interview at Remarkable Jobs
✨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 Remarkable Jobs!
✨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 Remarkable Jobs. 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 Remarkable Jobs's culture.
