LevertonHELM manufactures a range of inorganic Lithium chemicals which are sold throughout the world. It is now expanding rapidly due to the growth of the Lithium-ion battery sector and has an excellent reputation for reliability and providing high quality products.
Job Purpose
The Sourcing Specialist is responsible for managing end‑to‑end operational purchasing activities to ensure timely, cost‑effective, and high‑quality supply of raw materials and feedstocks. This role oversees the full procurement cycle—including purchase orders, supplier coordination, logistics, documentation, and inventory monitoring—while maintaining strong relationships across commercial, quality, and laboratory teams. The Sourcing Specialist plays a critical role in supporting production continuity, cost optimisation, and supplier performance management.
Key Tasks
Procurement Operations
* Manage the complete purchasing process, including creating purchase orders, issuing purchase contracts, coordinating logistics, and ensuring delivery follow‑up.
* Prepare, validate, and maintain all documentation required for procurement transactions, including invoices, customs documents (if applicable), and payment tracking.
* Perform price calculations and manage supplier payment enquiries, ensuring alignment with internal financial processes.
* Track all raw material deliveries and proactively follow up with suppliers and logistics partners to ensure on‑time arrival.
Inventory & Demand Monitoring
* Monitor current raw material stock levels and analyse future demand requirements based on production plans, sales forecasts, and budgetary targets.
* Provide timely alerts and recommendations regarding upcoming purchasing needs to prevent stockouts or overstock scenarios.
Cost Management & Analysis
* Develop and maintain a detailed cost‑tracking table for all procurement‑ and trading‑related expenses, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
* Conduct regular cost analysis of existing inventory to support decision‑making and optimise purchasing strategies.
Quality & Material Evaluation
* Maintain a comprehensive quality database for all feedstocks, including specifications, historical performance, and intended uses.
* Collaborate closely with the commercial team to confirm the target application or market segment for each material.
* Coordinate with laboratory teams for quality assessment, testing, and approval of new material grades or suppliers.
Supplier Interaction & Coordination
* Engage with suppliers to clarify technical specifications, delivery schedules, pricing, and invoice discrepancies.
* Support supplier qualification processes by assisting in documentation collection, sample coordination, and performance monitoring.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Work collaboratively with Production, Planning, Commercial, Finance, and Quality teams to ensure alignment on material needs, costs, and compliance requirements.
* Participate in cross-functional meetings regarding material forecasting, quality issues, or supply‑chain risks.
Knowledge, experience & skills
Qualifications & Experience
* Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, or related field (preferred).
* Demonstrable experience in purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain operations—ideally within manufacturing, chemical, or industrial sectors.
* Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar) is an advantage.
* Familiarity with logistics processes and international trade documentation (if applicable).
Technical Skills
* Strong knowledge of procurement processes, purchasing documentation, and supply chain workflows.
* Ability to analyse costs, stock levels, and demand forecasts.
* Proficient in Excel and cost‑tracking tools; ability to maintain structured databases.
* Understanding of raw materials, feedstocks, or chemical/industrial products (preferred)