Purchasing Manager

Our client has built enormous success in their sector and this role is at the heart of their customer focused B2B distribution business, which is based in Medway, Kent.
On behalf of the UK Purchasing Director, we are now looking to engage a Purchasing Manager to help lead the ambitious team as the business embarks on developing further growth plans in which fostering outstanding supplier and vendor relationships is key.
The Purchasing Department have over 600 key suppliers and go out to relevant suppliers to purchase the goods that the client requests, they also hold fast moving stock in their 65,000 sku warehouse. You will not be identifying new suppliers or new products but be working with existing customers and suppliers get the best price and solution.
As a skilled Purchasing Manager your skills within an international business will include:
Leadership Skills
Communication
Results oriented
Creativity thinking - new ideas to improve processes
Interpersonal Savvy
Learning on the Fly
Dealing with Ambiguity
Responsibilities:
In the next 12 months you will:
* Develop supplier relationships - who spend c GBP100 million annually
* Take responsibility for accurate data input and management around Suppliers, products and pricing across all platforms including CRM (JDE), salesforce and Excel.
* Understand the goals and get the team aligned to support the business needs
* Line manage, coach, and support the team of 9, this will include: driving them to manage supply chain, achieve and maintain Fill Rate for stocked lines, hit KPIs, gather and input relevant data, open order book management and effective replenishment
* Drive Buyers to identify opportunities to increase profit
* Understand customer trends and put in processes to support these
* Ensure accuracy and implement Best Practice policies around European Freight, Commodity Classifications and UK Customs.
* Learn the business model and work to support the UK Purchasing Director with internal and external Purchasing Projects
* Ensure Freight costs are optimised.
* Understand Customer fulfilment and supply chain in a non-manufacturing environment
* Develop and define reporting on Key Performance Indicators and supply chain management
* Progress and achieve annual objectives
* Play a key role in the leadership team, sharing your perspectives and expertise on how the Purchasing Team operates
We think the right person for this role will have:
* Strong people / supplier management capabilities with experience managing multiple contacts
* CIPS qualification
* Has taken responsibility for Working Capital
* Has a good understanding of supply chain and customer fulfilment in a non-manufacturing environment
* Is interested in learning and developing their own skills
We're eager to find someone that also has experience with:
* Purchasing Management within an international FMCG or Retail distribution
* Line Management or some supervisory experience and willingness to develop in this arena
If this sounds like it matches your experience and what you'd love to do, we can't wait to hear from you! If you're unsure whether you fit our criteria exactly, please get in touch anyway. We care just as much about capability and attitude.
In return:
* Competitive salary and generous annual bonus
* 25 days of annual leave plus the usual public holidays
* Flexible wfh / office working schedule
* Healthcare (following successful probation)
* Competitive car allowance
* Charity and family day events throughout the year