Senior Buyer/Supply Chain Manager
Are you an experienced buyer looking for a fresh challenge in a fast growing and complex business? Would you like to lead and help develop a small procurement team? Are you self-motivated, flexible, driven and have excellent communication skills? If so, we think we may have just the opportunity for you!
Who are we?
Proud to be manufacturing in Gloucestershire, Window Widgets Limited is part of the Q19 Group. An award-winning business within the fenestration industry, providing high quality window products through two brands (Window Widgets and Residence Collection), supporting the industry with innovative product solutions for the manufacture and installation of windows.
Window Widgets has a track record of success, and we are looking for enthusiastic and skilled individuals to join us on our journey.
What is the job?
Reporting to the Supply Chain Director, this role is key in supporting the business to source goods, ensuring value for money and reliable supply. As you would expect, the role is detailed orientated, and excellent communication skills and the ability to negotiate are key. As you will often be in daily contact with our suppliers and working with internal stakeholders, you will need to be able to demonstrate a professional and very customer-focused attitude at all times. You would be required to travel and visit our UK suppliers and complete site assessments so a driving licence is essential for this role.
To be successful in the role previous experience of purchasing within manufacturing is a must and experience in Sage is desirable. You will need to have excellent communication skills, have the ability to influence and persuade people to your point of view, be a strong team player, and comfortable in a fast paced and demanding business.
Key Tasks include:
* Leading, negotiating and executing all sourcing activities to the defined project timelines
* Continuously evaluating the performance of the current supply base
* Mapping and identifying new suppliers
* Establishing and maintaining relationships with suppliers
* Completion of Supplier visits including production site assessment.
* Supplier Performance Management
* Ensuring adherence to procurement processes and procedures
* Establish and maintain partnerships with suppliers for both direct materials and indirect spend across a number of key commodities
* Engage with suppliers to agree pricing, lead times and product standards as required using a variety of procurement processes
* Challenge current agreements, processes and drive added value through the supply chain
* Work closely with materials planner/forecaster to help maintain efficient stock-holding levels (i.e. minimising lead times, MOQs, supplier flexibility whilst maintaining price)
* Actively explore opportunities for supplier rationalization to reduce administration and maximise leverage when agreeing purchases
* Provide as necessary support to the Quality Manager in reporting / addressing quality issues with suppliers and support Quality audits as and when required
* Maintain records to deliver defined key performance indicators to form a monthly report
* To actively research cost down initiatives to support the overall procurement objectives and track savings in line with monthly reports
* Engage with suppliers, support continuous improvement projects and follow through with actions ensuring all key stakeholders are informed
* Undertake an active role in the preparation and presentation of key data for strategic suppliers in the monthly/quarterly supplier relationship management meetings
* Investigate potential new supply opportunities, visit site, and deliver reports to provide the procurement team with updates on progress and new sources of supply
* Identify ways to minimise risk within the supply chain and explore opportunities to protect key sources of supply for goods and services
* Support and work closely with the Leadership Team, providing relevant reports for the monthly board pack and presenting at board meetings where required
In return we offer a competitive salary and the following additional benefits
* 8% non-contributory pension (on top of salary)
* 20 days leave (plus bank holidays) and additional days at Christmas
* Healthcare cash plan and wellbeing perks and rewards
* Life assurance x 2 salary