Purchasing Manager

Responsible for planning and managing International and UK purchasing within the organisation. Producing and delivering purchasing strategy ensuring the purchasing department operates in an efficient manner.
Duties and Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Purchasing
1. Plan, direct and coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing coordinators and related workers involved in purchasing products, materials and services to achieve the required production plan for orders.
2. Continuously review, develop and implement (where possible automate) procurement, policies, process and procedures.
3. Liaise between suppliers, manufacturers and relevant internal departments to meet agreed timescales.
4. With buyers, proactively manage, maintain and develop relationships with new and existing suppliers with the aim to reduce costs/lead times.by monitoring, reporting and improving quality/service levels.
5. Working with Directors, buyers and other departments to source new suppliers.
6. Review purchase order discrepancy claims for conformance to company policy/agreements.
Planning
1. Review, develop and implement departmental budgets ensuring that spends are within company guidelines and maximums are not exceeded
2. Forecast with Directors and Sales Manager levels of demand for products and services to ensure that stock is procured effectively and meets the business needs
3. Provide regular, structured reports and statistics using computer software to enable operational and strategic delivery and planning.
4. With buyers and supply chain, conduct research to ascertain the best products and suppliers in terms of best value, delivery schedules and quality;
5. Build, develop and deliver a competent purchasing strategy that is lean and aligned to the overall business objectives
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
1. Purchasing experience in a manufacturing background
2. The ability to lead and motivate a team
3. Experience and understanding of buying and negotiating from the Far East
4. Knowledge and understanding of MRP
5. Highly competent in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook and Word
6. Strong planning, organisational and administration skills
7. High standard of attention to detail
8. Committed to a collaborative approach
9. Highly self motivated and capable of working under own initiative
10. Flexible outlook to the achievement of business objectives (has a "Can Do" attitude)
11. Comfortable with rapid change and development
12. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
13. A logical and systematic approach to work
14. Good time management ability
15. The ability to solve problems and make decisions, as well as think laterally and offer solutions
16. Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external teams
PREFERRED SKILLS
1. Experience and knowledge of Sage software
2. Knowledge and understanding of international freight and supply chain
3. Knowledge and understanding of product compliance and regulatory requirements (not necessarily the same sector)