Job Title: Purchaser
Salary: Up to £40,000 DOE
Reporting To: Managing Director
Role Overview
The Purchaser is responsible for managing stock levels, purchasing activities, and supplier performance to support efficient business operations. The role focuses on maintaining a lean, just-in-time inventory system while ensuring materials and goods are always available when required.
Key Responsibilities
1. Stock & Inventory Management
a. Stock Management
- Implement and maintain improved stock control processes to support a lean, just-in-time inventory model.
- Use the stock control system to ensure purchase orders are raised proactively, avoiding stock shortages.
- Collaborate with the Production Planner and Managing Director to develop annual usage forecasts, particularly for long lead-time items.
b. Purchasing
- Raise and manage purchase orders for:
- Production stock items
- Office stationery
- One-off purchases
- Take ownership of delivery schedules to ensure goods arrive on time, in full, and to the correct specification.
- Maintain accurate purchase order data within the business system, ensuring alignment with goods received records.
- Work closely with the Warehouse & Shipping Manager to ensure accurate booking-in of goods.
- Provide a monthly report on outstanding purchase orders, including values and expected delivery dates.
- Proactively identify opportunities to reduce material costs through supplier negotiation or alternative sourcing.
c. Non-Conformity Management
- Report and manage non-conforming goods with suppliers, ensuring credits or replacements are issued.
- Monitor and track supplier performance using key metrics such as quality (defects), delivery performance, and cost.
2. Data Management
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date supplier information within the system.
- Work with the Technical team to ensure consistency and accuracy of part numbers and product descriptions.
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in a purchasing or procurement role
- Excellent administrative experience with strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong organisational and data management skills
- Ability to manage supplier relationships effectively
- Experience with stock control or ERP systems
- Good communication and negotiation skills