Key Responsibilities

Supplier Sourcing & Price Comparison

• Obtain and compare quotations from suppliers based on price, lead time, product quality, availability and overall value.
• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs and improve purchasing efficiency.
• Maintain accurate supplier pricing and purchasing information.
• Communicate and negotiate with suppliers regarding pricing, quantities, availability and delivery schedules.
• Challenge supplier quotations or proposed delivery dates where a better commercial outcome may be achievable.

Purchasing & Stock Management

• Regularly monitor stock levels and communicate purchasing requirements to the company buyer.
• Help identify products that need replenishing before stock reaches critical levels.
• Support the purchasing of both UK/local stock and imported stock.
• Keep track of expected incoming deliveries and communicate relevant information internally.
• Assist with purchasing decisions based on stock levels, sales requirements, supplier lead times and cost.

Incoming Stock & Delivery Checks

• Check incoming local and imported stock deliveries against purchase orders and expected quantities.
• Work with the warehouse team to confirm that the physical quantity received matches the quantity ordered.
• Identify and investigate shortages, discrepancies or incorrect deliveries.
• Liaise with suppliers where discrepancies need to be resolved.
• Maintain clear records of incoming stock and any outstanding quantities.

Haulage & Transport Coordination

• Arrange haulage collections and deliveries according to customer requirements.
• Communicate with customers, hauliers and internal departments to coordinate suitable collection and delivery dates.
• Where possible, consolidate deliveries to reduce transport costs and avoid sending partially utilised loads.
• Keep relevant departments informed of confirmed collection and delivery arrangements.
• Respond to changes, delays or additional collection requirements and find practical solutions.

Commercial Decision-Making & Negotiation

A key part of this position is being able to make decisions rather than simply process requests.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Consider whether an order should be placed immediately or whether there is an advantage in changing the quantity or timing.
• Assess whether proposed supplier lead times are acceptable for the company's stock requirements.
• Negotiate delivery dates where necessary.
• Escalate important issues when required.

Internal Communication & Handovers

• Work closely with purchasing, warehouse, sales, customer service and management.
• Maintain clear records so that other members of the team can understand the status of orders, deliveries and collections.
• Create and maintain step-by-step guides and procedures for key responsibilities.
• Prepare detailed handovers before annual leave or other planned absences.
• Ensure important tasks, outstanding orders and expected deliveries can continue to be managed effectively during periods of absence.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for someone with:

• Strong numerical and analytical skills, particularly when comparing supplier prices and quantities.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of the importance of purchasing at the right price.
• Strong negotiation skills and confidence communicating with suppliers.
• Good decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Confidence working with stock quantities, purchase orders and delivery information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple orders, suppliers and deliveries simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Good Microsoft Excel or spreadsheet skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively across different departments.
• A proactive approach to identifying potential stock or delivery problems before they become urgent.
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Key Responsibilities

Supplier Sourcing & Price Comparison

• Obtain and compare quotations from suppliers based on price, lead time, product quality, availability and overall value.
• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs and improve purchasing efficiency.
• Maintain accurate supplier pricing and purchasing information.
• Communicate and negotiate with suppliers regarding pricing, quantities, availability and delivery schedules.
• Challenge supplier quotations or proposed delivery dates where a better commercial outcome may be achievable.

Purchasing & Stock Management

• Regularly monitor stock levels and communicate purchasing requirements to the company buyer.
• Help identify products that need replenishing before stock reaches critical levels.
• Support the purchasing of both UK/local stock and imported stock.
• Keep track of expected incoming deliveries and communicate relevant information internally.
• Assist with purchasing decisions based on stock levels, sales requirements, supplier lead times and cost.

Incoming Stock & Delivery Checks

• Check incoming local and imported stock deliveries against purchase orders and expected quantities.
• Work with the warehouse team to confirm that the physical quantity received matches the quantity ordered.
• Identify and investigate shortages, discrepancies or incorrect deliveries.
• Liaise with suppliers where discrepancies need to be resolved.
• Maintain clear records of incoming stock and any outstanding quantities.

Haulage & Transport Coordination

• Arrange haulage collections and deliveries according to customer requirements.
• Communicate with customers, hauliers and internal departments to coordinate suitable collection and delivery dates.
• Where possible, consolidate deliveries to reduce transport costs and avoid sending partially utilised loads.
• Keep relevant departments informed of confirmed collection and delivery arrangements.
• Respond to changes, delays or additional collection requirements and find practical solutions.

Commercial Decision-Making & Negotiation

A key part of this position is being able to make decisions rather than simply process requests.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Consider whether an order should be placed immediately or whether there is an advantage in changing the quantity or timing.
• Assess whether proposed supplier lead times are acceptable for the company's stock requirements.
• Negotiate delivery dates where necessary.
• Escalate important issues when required.

Internal Communication & Handovers

• Work closely with purchasing, warehouse, sales, customer service and management.
• Maintain clear records so that other members of the team can understand the status of orders, deliveries and collections.
• Create and maintain step-by-step guides and procedures for key responsibilities.
• Prepare detailed handovers before annual leave or other planned absences.
• Ensure important tasks, outstanding orders and expected deliveries can continue to be managed effectively during periods of absence.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for someone with:

• Strong numerical and analytical skills, particularly when comparing supplier prices and quantities.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of the importance of purchasing at the right price.
• Strong negotiation skills and confidence communicating with suppliers.
• Good decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Confidence working with stock quantities, purchase orders and delivery information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple orders, suppliers and deliveries simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Good Microsoft Excel or spreadsheet skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively across different departments.
• A proactive approach to identifying potential stock or delivery problems before they become urgent.
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