Purchasing Manager
Company: RP Group
Hours: 40 hours per week
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
About the Role
RP Group is looking for an experienced and commercially focused Purchasing Manager to lead our purchasing function and manage a team of three.
This is a hands-on management role, combining leadership of the purchasing team with direct responsibility for supplier management, order placement, international sourcing, stock control and the ongoing development of our supply chain.
The successful candidate will ensure RP Group purchases the right products, at the right price, in the right quantities and at the right time, while maintaining the quality and service levels required by our customers.
With an established international supply chain, you will have direct involvement in managing key overseas suppliers across Europe and Asia, including order placement, production schedules, shipping requirements and supplier performance.
You will work closely with Sales, Production, Warehouse and senior management to improve product availability, purchasing performance, stock efficiency and overall business profitability.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, support and develop a purchasing team of three
Manage workloads and priorities across the purchasing department
Ensure purchasing requirements and outstanding orders are managed effectively by the team
Remain actively involved in day-to-day purchasing and order placement
Raise, place and manage purchase orders with key UK and international suppliers
Review stock levels, demand and requirements to determine appropriate order quantities and timing
Ensure purchase orders are accurate in relation to products, quantities, pricing and agreed terms
Monitor outstanding purchase orders, production schedules and expected delivery dates
Proactively follow up suppliers to ensure agreed delivery dates are achieved
Manage international orders from initial placement through production, shipment and delivery
Maintain accurate expected delivery information and communicate potential shortages or delays internally
Coordinate purchasing requirements with freight and logistics arrangements where required
Identify opportunities to consolidate international orders and shipments
Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, minimum order quantities and commercial agreements
Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers
Monitor and improve supplier performance across price, quality, delivery and service
Identify and develop new suppliers across the UK, Europe and Asia
Benchmark existing suppliers against alternative manufacturers and sources
Challenge supplier price increases and negotiate improved commercial terms
Analyse stock levels, purchasing patterns and demand to improve inventory efficiency
Work to reduce shortages, excess stock and slow-moving inventory
Support the sourcing and development of new products and product ranges
Resolve supplier quality, delivery and commercial issues
Report on purchasing performance, supplier performance and key supply-chain issues to senior management
Continuously improve purchasing processes and performance across the department
International Purchasing & Supply Chain
A significant element of this role is the management of RP Group’s international purchasing and supply chain.
The Purchasing Manager will retain direct responsibility for key overseas suppliers and orders while ensuring the wider purchasing team effectively manages day-to-day requirements.
Responsibilities will include:
Placing and managing orders directly with international manufacturers
Confirming pricing, quantities, specifications and production lead times
Monitoring production progress against agreed schedules
Planning purchasing around longer international lead times
Coordinating order consolidation and shipment planning
Working with freight and logistics providers where required
Maintaining visibility of incoming international stock
Identifying potential supply-chain risks before they impact customers
Developing alternative and secondary sources of supply
Visiting suppliers and attending relevant trade exhibitions where appropriate
Team Management
As Purchasing Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and development of our three-person purchasing team.
You will ensure responsibilities are clearly allocated, priorities are understood and orders are progressed effectively.
We are looking for a manager who is willing to lead from within the team providing direction and support while remaining personally involved in purchasing activity and key supplier relationships.
Strategic Purchasing & Supplier Development
Alongside the day-to-day management of purchasing, you will be expected to continually challenge and improve how RP Group sources its products.
This will include identifying opportunities to:
Reduce purchasing costs and improve margins
Negotiate improved supplier terms
Improve stock availability
Reduce excess and slow-moving inventory
Develop direct manufacturer relationships
Identify alternative suppliers and products
Consolidate purchasing and international shipments
Improve lead times and supplier reliability
Reduce supply-chain risk
Support the development of new product ranges
About You
The successful candidate will:
Have previous experience in purchasing, procurement, buying or supply-chain management
Have experience managing or supervising a purchasing/procurement team
Be a hands-on manager who is comfortable remaining involved in day-to-day purchasing
Have strong commercial and negotiation skills
Be confident dealing directly with suppliers and manufacturers
Have strong organisational and leadership skills
Understand stock management, lead times and inventory control
Be capable of managing multiple suppliers, orders and priorities simultaneously
Have strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Be commercially minded with a focus on cost, margin and value
Be proactive in identifying and resolving supply issues
Take ownership and responsibility for the overall performance of the purchasing function
Experience within manufacturing, engineering, hydraulics, industrial components or distribution would be highly desirable.
Experience managing international suppliers, imports, freight or overseas manufacturing would also be advantageous.
The Opportunity
This is an important management position within RP Group for someone who can combine team leadership with hands-on purchasing and strong commercial decision-making.
The Purchasing Manager will have a direct impact on:
Product Availability Purchasing Costs Stock Levels Supplier Performance International Supply Chain Team Performance New Product Sourcing Business Margins
What We Offer
Competitive salary, dependent on experience
Full-time, permanent position
Management responsibility for an established purchasing team
A key role within RP Group’s purchasing and supply-chain operation
Opportunity to directly influence purchasing and sourcing strategy
Scope to develop international supplier relationships
Opportunities for supplier visits and relevant international trade exhibitions
Career development within an established and growing business
Apply now with your CV and a brief summary of your relevant purchasing, procurement, supply-chain and management experience.
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