Job Overview:
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing the procurement process for the company, ensuring that goods and services are purchased at the best possible price, in the right quantity, and at the right time. The role involves managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and overseeing inventory control to support operational efficiency and cost-effective strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
Procurement Strategy Development:
* Develop and implement purchasing strategies that align with company goals and operational needs.
* Analyse market trends to stay updated on pricing, availability, and new suppliers.
Vendor Management:
* Establish and maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers.
* Negotiate contracts, pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.
* Evaluate supplier performance regularly to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
Purchasing Operations:
* Oversee the day-to-day purchasing activities, ensuring efficient operations and timely procurement.
* Manage purchase orders, contracts.
* Coordinate with other departments to ensure product availability.
Cost Control:
* Conduct cost analyses to identify opportunities for cost savings.
Compliance & Reporting:
* Ensure purchasing activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies.
* Prepare reports on purchasing activities, cost savings, and vendor performance for senior management.
Team Leadership:
* Support direct reports to ensure day to day operations are as they should be.
* Provide training, guidance, and support to ensure high performance and continuous improvement.
Problem-Solving:
* Address and resolve issues related to suppliers, product quality, delivery schedules, or pricing.
* Implement corrective actions as needed to resolve conflicts or inefficiencies.
Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Supply Management, CIPS) are a plus.
Experience:
* Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing or procurement role.
* Experience in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
Skills:
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
* Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
* Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, etc.).
* In-depth understanding of inventory management and supply chain processes.
Working Conditions:
* Full-time, with some flexibility in hours.
* Supplier visits, trade shows including overnight stays will be required.
Company Information
Who are we?
Miller's Vanguard are proud to have been supporting all the UK's Supermarket chains for over 40 years, in brief, we are the people in the background ensuring that supermarkets keep the Nation fed Maintaining a wide and varied range of assets from food production equipment through to loading bay lifts.
Our service are as follows:
* Nationwide reactive maintenance
* Hygienic Deep cleaning & Planned maintenance services
* Refurbishment, logistics and installation of equipment
We do all of this with the firm foundations of being owned by the global Ali Group, whose turnover is in excess of £4 billion p.a.
Our people
Despite being a large operation here at Miller's Vanguard we still firmly believe in running the business like we have done for the last 40 years, by valuing our biggest asset we have YOU…the employee.
Our team of over 500 employees have the advantage of working in state-of-the-art working environments:
* New Technical response centre
* Award Winning research, Innovation, and recycling facility
* Industry leading Mercedes Benz fleet
We believe in providing you with the very best environment and tools to do the job.
Career Development
Training is also a huge part of our culture here at Miller's Vanguard and our City and Guilds accredited training centre is where we coach and develop our employees regardless of your position or your length of service, we want to make sure that our staff can progress and keep pace with ever changing equipment technologies.
Why Join Us
* Training in our City & Guilds accredited academy
* Job Specific Uniform & tooling for all roles
* Company wide fun days and charity events
* Company Pension
* Incremental holiday allowance (up to 32 days per year)
* Regular staff 'treats' for employees and their families
INDM1
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £45,000.00 per year
Experience:
* Purchasing: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person