At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the purchasing cycle, ensuring timely deliveries and strong supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Vorwerk, a global leader in high-quality household products.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, employee discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply chain efficiency and product quality.
- Qualifications: Strong relationship skills, analytical mindset, and proficiency in SAP or Excel.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Join Vorwerk’s Operations team to keep our supply chain reliable, cost-effective, and well-governed. As a Purchasing Specialist, you’ll be the go-to expert for sourcing the right products from trusted suppliers, setting up accurate data in our systems, and ensuring deliveries land on time. Your work underpins customer promises and working capital performance across our Thermomix and Kobold business.
What you’ll do:
- Own the end-to-end purchasing cycle: supplier/item setup, PO placement, delivery tracking, and goods receipt.
- Set up new suppliers and products in SAP ByDesign with complete, accurate master data (weights, measures, commodity codes).
- Obtain, compare, and document quotations; create a clear, auditable trail of pricing and terms.
- Create and maintain standard operating instructions to drive consistent, compliant purchasing.
- Align lead times with demand; make timely buy decisions to prevent shortages and expedite when needed.
- Place POs, monitor order status, arrange and chase deliveries, and resolve discrepancies at receipt.
- Maintain preferred supplier lists; review performance and value to keep the list current.
- Plan and execute purchasing activities to ensure continuity of supply and healthy stock levels.
- Assess and qualify suppliers for quality, reliability, compliance, capacity, and commercial fit.
- Lead supplier selection and negotiations to optimise total cost, quality, service, and working capital.
- Build strong supplier relationships; run regular performance reviews and drive continuous improvement.
- Guide purchased product selection to meet specifications and business needs.
What you bring:
- Quick to build trust; strong relationship skills with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Analytical and data-driven; logical decision-making with clear documentation.
- Ability to map critical paths and sequence activities to minimise lead times.
- Financial literacy; understands P&L and balance sheet impacts of purchasing choices.
- Commercial acumen; knows what drives profitability and corporate objectives.
- Broad manufacturing awareness (engineered components, large-scale processes, small-batch) or the ability to learn fast.
- Working knowledge of print industry processes and international trade/shipment practices.
- Proficient in SAP or SAP Business ByDesign; advanced Excel skills.
Where you’ll work:
- Location: Office-based role with travel as required to suppliers and Vorwerk sites.
- Reporting line: Operations Manager.
- Employment: Full-time, Permanent.
Inclusive hiring:
We’re an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected status. If you need reasonable adjustments during the application process, let us know.
Interested?
If this sounds like you, submit your CV and a short note highlighting relevant purchasing experience, systems expertise (SAP/ByD), and negotiation achievements. We’ll be in touch about next steps.
Benefits include:
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme
- and more...
Purchasing Specialist in Bracknell employer: Vorwerk UK and Ireland
Contact Detail:
Vorwerk UK and Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing Specialist in Bracknell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Vorwerk and understanding their products. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their mission and how your skills as a Purchasing Specialist can make a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves supplier selection and negotiations, being able to showcase your ability to drive down costs while maintaining quality will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Vorwerk.
We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Specialist in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Purchasing Specialist role. Highlight your experience with supplier management, SAP systems, and any relevant achievements in negotiations. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past roles that showcase your analytical abilities, relationship-building skills, and financial literacy. This helps us see how you fit into our operations.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vorwerk UK and Ireland
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of SAP ByDesign and Excel. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past roles, especially in relation to purchasing cycles and supplier management.
✨Show Off Your Relationship Skills
Since building trust with suppliers and stakeholders is key, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in previous jobs. Think about specific situations where your communication skills made a difference.
✨Be Data-Driven
Demonstrate your analytical skills by preparing to discuss how you've used data to make purchasing decisions. Bring examples of how you've documented pricing comparisons or tracked order statuses to ensure timely deliveries.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with Vorwerk's products and their market position. Be ready to talk about how your purchasing decisions can impact profitability and supply chain efficiency, showing that you understand the commercial side of the role.