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- Tasks: Lead the purchasing function, negotiate with suppliers, and drive service improvements.
- Company: Join a tech company focused on ambitious growth and exceptional customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, workplace pension, health cash plan, and birthday off.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making impactful changes in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Degree level education preferred; experience in IT channel and supplier management is key.
- Other info: Role based in Cheshire with ad-hoc worldwide travel opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Looking to grow your career in technology? Our client is hiring for a fantastic opportunity where no two days are ever the same. Do you want to be solving challenges, creating service improvements and making a difference to a business that has ambitious growth plans? They want to grow by being the very best at what they do, with delighted customers and amazing service that can help them to achieve their ambitious growth objectives. And they need your help.
What you\’ll be doing:
The successful candidate will take overall ownership of the buying function. Helping to create and develop relationships as well as delivering savings and efficiencies for the business. The ideal candidate will be a forward thinking and proactive individual with abundant energy and a willingness to drive change. Strong negotiation skills, relationship building and an innovative approach to working with suppliers and vendors will be key skills. The role will require a strong commercial background with the ability to build and manage a team of buyers that can source internationally across a wide and diverse range of technical products. The role will be based in Northwich in Cheshire, supporting our London, France & German locations. The role will require ad-hoc travel (Worldwide) to engage and develop key relationships.
- Liaising and negotiating with existing and new vendors/suppliers.
- Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with suppliers and vendors.
- Managing our ecosystem of suppliers and providing reporting on vendor performance.
- Assisting in the management of supplier catalogues.
- Reducing costs, improving value.
- Managing commercial terms with suppliers including approval of contracts.
- Developing a continuous improvement policy across existing and new business activities.
- Setting, measuring and reporting on KPI’s.
- Liaise with Account Management on pre and post sales.
- Create a supplier knowledge base.
- Maintaining data and records in systems.
- Helping to develop new systems and working practices.
- Help to drive and increase profitability.
- Placing Purchase Orders.
- Expediting Purchase Orders.
- Help to achieve SLA’s.
- Forecasting and reporting on product trends and pricing analysis
- Attending supplier meetings, events and customer meetings where required.
- Adding value to the Sales Team and Customer base
- Managing and reporting on vendor incentives and opportunities.
- Provide analytics to the management team on a regular basis.
Your skills and experience:
- IT Channel.
- Software.
- Hardware.
- Services.
- Channel Management.
- Understanding of licensing.
- Distribution/reseller background.
- Education should be to a degree level and CIPS preferred but not essential.
- Experience of Microsoft Dynamics NAV preferred but not essential.
What\’s in it for you?
- A fast-paced and fun working environment
- Workplace pension after 3 months service
- Company health cash plan
- 30 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Your birthday off
- Free on-site parking at the Cheshire office
- Training and development
If this sounds like an opportunity with your name written all over it, then don\’t hesitate to apply today!
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Head of Purchasing employer: Robertson & Sumner Ltd
Contact Detail:
Robertson & Sumner Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Purchasing
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the IT channel and purchasing sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and suppliers, as building relationships is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Microsoft Dynamics NAV and other relevant software tools. Even if it's not essential, having a good grasp of these systems can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your negotiation skills through real-life examples during interviews. Prepare specific instances where you've successfully negotiated terms or built strategic partnerships to showcase your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on market trends and pricing analysis in the tech industry. Being knowledgeable about current developments will help you speak confidently about how you can add value to the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Purchasing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in purchasing, negotiation, and supplier management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive change and deliver savings.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention how your skills align with their ambitious growth plans and your proactive approach to problem-solving.
Highlight Key Skills: Emphasise your strong negotiation skills, relationship-building abilities, and commercial background. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams or improved processes in previous roles.
Showcase Relevant Experience: If you have experience with international sourcing or working with technical products, make sure to include this in your application. Detail any relevant achievements that demonstrate your capability in these areas.
How to prepare for a job interview at Robertson & Sumner Ltd
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how your approach saved costs or improved supplier relationships, as this role heavily relies on strong negotiation abilities.
✨Demonstrate Relationship Building
Be ready to discuss how you've built and maintained strategic partnerships with suppliers. Share stories that illustrate your ability to foster long-term relationships, which is crucial for the Head of Purchasing role.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Research the company's current suppliers and their market position. Being knowledgeable about their ecosystem will show your proactive nature and readiness to drive change within the organisation.
✨Prepare for KPI Discussions
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to purchasing. Be prepared to discuss how you would set, measure, and report on these KPIs to demonstrate your commercial acumen and focus on continuous improvement.