The Buyer is responsible for the effective management of inventory across all wholesale and over-labelling depots, ensuring procurement KPIs are consistently achieved. This role requires balancing optimal product availability with efficient stock management, maintaining inventory levels that support customer demand while minimising working capital costs.
In addition, the Buyer will take ownership of maintaining accurate and up-to-date product master data, ensuring the integrity of product files across the business. The role also involves building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, providing clear and timely communication on stock availability, deliveries, and supply-related matters to support operational excellence and informed decision-making.
Main Responsibilities
* Inventory Management & Product Availability – Manage stock levels across an allocated supplier portfolio to achieve inventory KPIs, maximise product availability, and optimise working capital by minimising excess, slow-moving, and none moving stock.
* Business Communication & Reporting – Provide accurate, timely, and proactive updates to stakeholders across the business regarding product availability, supply issues, and delivery schedules.
* Supplier Relationship Management – Support Hospital Supply Chain Managers in developing and maintaining strong supplier partnerships, ensuring high levels of service, reliability, and commercial performance.
* Product Sourcing – Source new products and obtain quotations, specifications, and supporting information in response to ad hoc sales enquiries and business requirements.
Main Duties
* Raise and manage purchase orders in line with agreed stock policies and an understanding of NHS hospital contract requirements.
* Monitor outstanding supplier orders, proactively tracking delivery dates and taking appropriate action to minimise supply disruptions and delays.
* Analyse inventory, availability, supplier lead-time, and stockholding data, identifying trends and implementing corrective actions where required.
* Ensure all supplier price changes are communicated promptly and accurately to the Data Management and Hospital Contracts teams.
* Gather, validate, and submit information required for the onboarding of new products and suppliers.
* Investigate and resolve order discrepancies in collaboration with Finance, Quality, Operations, and other relevant departments.
* Maintain accurate supplier, product, and procurement data within company systems and databases.
* Build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders to support operational performance and customer service objectives.
* Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance supply chain efficiency, stock availability, and data accuracy.
Person Specification
* Educated to A Level standard with GCSEs Grade C passes, to include English & Maths or equivalent;
* Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills;
* High level of computer literacy, to include all main Microsoft Office packages;
* Ability to work under pressure; and to tight schedules;
* Strong organisational and administration skills.
* Experience working within a GMP/GDP complaint organisation
* Knowledge of NHS hospital pharmaceutical contracts
* Preferred experience of buying / procurement within an MRP environment.
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