Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead purchasing strategy and optimise supplier relationships for a growing veterinary nutraceutical company.
- Company: VetPlus, a global leader in veterinary nutraceuticals with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of procurement in a dynamic environment focused on pet health.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in purchasing, strong negotiation skills, and proficiency in Sage Line 200.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to excellence and innovation in pet care.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
About us
At VetPlus, we believe that every pet deserves the best possible care. That’s why, for over 30 years, we have been dedicated to developing high-quality veterinary nutraceuticals that support pet health and wellbeing. As part of the Tangerine Group, we are The Global Leader in veterinary nutraceuticals, delivering innovative solutions to vets in over 50 countries worldwide, with seven wholly owned subsidiaries. Our success is built on strong relationships, exceptional service, and an ongoing commitment to excellence which continues to drive double digit growth and exceptional operating margins.
About the Role
We’re looking for a strategic, proactive Purchasing Manager to take ownership of our end‑to‑end purchasing function and play a key role in supporting our continued growth. You will be working closely with Production, Warehouse, R&D, Finance, and Quality teams. Driving an effective purchasing strategy, you will strengthen supplier relationships, ensuring we deliver the best product at the best value, every time. You will be responsible for a £15m spend across direct categories with over 200 raw materials and 2000 packaging SKU’s globally sourced. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone highly analytical, commercially savvy, and passionate about building a best‑in‑class procurement operation in a rapidly growing business.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead Our Purchasing Strategy
- Develop and deliver a purchasing strategy aligned to business growth plans.
- Create an annual purchasing plan optimising direct and indirect spend balancing quality, cost, and lead times.
- Build strong strategic supplier relationships, ensuring at least two approved suppliers for every product to minimise risk.
- Drive Operational Excellence
- Oversee the purchase order process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with SOPs.
- Ensure new suppliers are selected, vetted and set up correctly.
- Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, MOQs, and wider conditions to secure best‑value agreements.
- Maintain contracts for all key suppliers and ensure compliance with company terms and conditions.
- Support Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Work with R&D on new product development to source raw materials effectively and ensure continuity of supply.
- Deliver year‑on‑year improvements on KPIs including invoice disputes, supplier defect rates, purchase price variance, and procurement ROI.
- Support capital project development through robust sourcing and negotiation.
- Optimise Stock, Supply Chain and Costs
- Manage stock levels to maximise cash and optimise working capital.
- Work closely with suppliers to ensure efficient delivery of raw materials and packaging, avoiding disruptions to manufacturing.
- Lead ongoing price reduction initiatives and improve supplier terms, including extending payment terms and securing delivered pricing.
- Develop and maintain effective “Just in Time” programmes with major suppliers.
- Broaden Our Supplier Landscape
- Attend conferences, trade shows and supplier meetings to identify new partners and opportunities.
- Produce reporting and analytics for senior management.
- Occasionally visit suppliers and other company sites as needed.
About You
Required Experience & Skills
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar purchasing or procurement role.
- Strong knowledge of Sage Line 200.
- Excellent communication, relationship‑building and negotiation skills.
- Highly organised with brilliant time‑management.
- Advanced IT skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
Ideally You Will Also Have
- A degree in Business or Management.
- CIPS qualification (or studying towards it).
Personal Qualities
- Quick learner with a proactive approach.
- Self‑motivated and adaptable.
- Enthusiastic team player with a strong work ethic.
- Committed to integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Why Join Us?
You’ll play a central role in shaping our purchasing strategy and supplier network at a time of exciting growth. This is a high‑impact position where your ideas and decisions genuinely make a difference across the entire business.
Group Purchasing Manager in Lytham St Annes employer: VetPlus
Contact Detail:
VetPlus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Purchasing Manager in Lytham St Annes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals at conferences and trade shows. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your achievements in purchasing and procurement. This will give you an edge during interviews and show how you can add value to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to get comfortable discussing pricing and terms. Being confident in negotiations can make a huge difference in landing the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at VetPlus and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Purchasing Manager in Lytham St Annes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Group Purchasing Manager. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially any strategic purchasing strategies you've developed. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at VetPlus!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about pet health and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention your experience with supplier relationships and negotiation skills.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires a highly analytical mindset, be sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive purchasing decisions in the past. We love numbers, so if you've improved KPIs or reduced costs, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at VetPlus
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Group Purchasing Manager, you'll be dealing with significant budgets and supplier negotiations. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've managed similar spends in the past. Bring specific examples of cost savings or efficiencies you've achieved.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
VetPlus is looking for someone who can develop and deliver a purchasing strategy. Prepare to talk about your approach to creating purchasing plans and how you align them with business growth. Think about how you've built strong supplier relationships and minimised risks in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is key in this role, so be prepared to share your experiences. Discuss specific instances where you've successfully negotiated pricing, payment terms, or other conditions. Highlight your ability to secure best-value agreements while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
VetPlus values innovation and continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss how you've driven operational excellence in your previous roles. Share examples of KPIs you've improved, such as reducing invoice disputes or enhancing procurement ROI, and how you plan to bring that mindset to VetPlus.