Job Information

Job Title: Buyer / Purchasing

Salary: £22,000 to £30,000 - Competitive Company Benefits

Location: Exeter

Our client manufactures and distributes its high end products throughout the world and due to continued expansion they now require another buyer to join their existing team.

The common requirement for people interested in these roles will be a desire and commitment to be involved in a dynamic business where the overriding criteria are product quality and customer satisfaction.

The Role:

You’ll be accountable for all aspects of purchasing, ranging from sourcing of new suppliers, contract negotiation, expediting and ensuring stock availability to allow production to be optimised. This role will work in partnership with the New Product Development Team to ensure the timely introduction of new product ranges.

You will need to be computer literate with a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (in particular Excel) and POP systems. Knowledge of cast iron and steel fabrication would be an advantage. The role will involve an amount of international and domestic travel and candidates will need to be flexible and able to manage their own portfolio of products.

Accountabilities:

1. Responsible for the identification, assessment, introduction and development of key highly competitive new sources both in cast iron and sheet metal. In all cases quality must be assured.

2. Coordinate and manage all purchasing across the specific range of products. (Each Buyer is responsible for set products and suppliers).

3. In conjunction with the New Products Team, work on new product ideas and concepts, including technical and aesthetic specification.

4. In the event of the introduction of a new product range, this post will be responsible for the negotiation and purchasing agreements, ensuring all aspects of supply are covered including packaging, labels, instructions, deliveries scheduling and payment terms.

5. Responsible for achieving full availability of all required top level and component parts, enabling the sales and production targets to be met. This will include effective stock management, utilisation of system reports, low level stock, monthly ordering, back orders and historic / present data for sales and stock holdings.

6. Ensure the company uses the appropriate combination of discrete orders, blanket orders and scheduled orders to ensure maximum availability.

7. Responsible for the expediting of all purchase orders, ensuring all delivery dates are adhered to.

8. Responsible for the monitoring of supplier delivery performance and action plans which rectify any performance shortfalls.

9. Ensure tooling sanction forms are raised and authorised by the Purchasing Director, as and when required.

10. Where appropriate raise Sage system non-stock Purchase Orders for all required services and consumables, as sanctioned by the requisition system and inline with company terms.

11. Responsible for negotiation of all contracts following suppliers request for purchase price increases.

12. Responsible for ensuring the most appropriate supplier is being used by the business, reviewing commercial agreements, service delivery and where appropriate and agreed by the product development team, modifications to the technical specification.

13. Manage the VA, VE and cost reduction programmes where discussed and identified with the Purchasing Director. This may include sourcing new suppliers, where the buyer will be responsible for developing the supplier to achieve the level of service required, including production planning, capacity planning, and quality approval as well as agreeing all commercial terms.

The Ideal candidate:

Relevant experience
• Evidence of purchasing aesthetically pleasing products / components
• Proven track record of working within a new product development team
• Proven track record of purchasing services and supplies.
Advantageous
• Proven track record of quality audit and inspection of supplies
• Experience of working to ISO standards
• Evidence of previous business travel
• Experience of managing and negotiating commercial contracts
• Evidence of influencing senior management and directors

Education and training

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate continuous learning
• Working knowledge of Microsoft office packages to intermediate level
Advantageous
• Knowledge of Sage
• Knowledge of Incoterms and overseas procurement

Skills and abilities
• Strong lateral thinker
• Strong negotiation skills
• Structured, organized individual
• Proactive self starter
• Ability to priorities and work on own initiative

Disposition
Essential
• Strong work ethic
• Good humoured
• Resilient
Advantageous
• Ability to travel independently and frequently