Job Description

Details

Main Purpose of the role:

Focusing primarily on intercompany procurement, the Buyer is responsible for managing designated suppliers, products and purchasing activities to ensure the efficient, cost-effective and timely supply of goods while maintaining agreed inventory levels and service requirements. The role supports procurement strategy execution, supplier performance management, sourcing activities, business improvement initiatives, ERP system development and supply chain optimisation. Working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders, the Buyer drives purchasing performance, supports business objectives and identifies cost-saving opportunities.

The role is also responsible for managing day-to-day purchasing operations and providing guidance, support and direction to the Purchasing Coordinator to ensure efficient purchasing processes, high levels of service delivery and compliance with company procedures.

Reporting to:

Procurement & Business Process Manager

Main Tasks of the Job:

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Manage an assigned portfolio of suppliers and products in accordance with agreed procurement strategies.

• Manage day-to-day relationships with an assigned supplier portfolio.

• Provide operational support, data analysis and market information to support sourcing exercises and supplier negotiations led by the Procurement & Business Process Manager.

• Monitor supplier performance against agreed requirements and SLAs, manage day-to-day supplier performance issues and escalate strategic concerns or recurring performance issues.

• Escalate strategic commercial, quality, availability and supplier performance issues where appropriate.

• Analyse supplier pricing, market conditions and purchasing trends to identify cost-saving opportunities.

• Ensure purchasing activities comply with agreed procedures, procurement policies and business controls.

Purchasing & Inventory Management

• Analyse demand forecasts and manage purchasing requirements for intercompany and external suppliers while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.

• Identify potential shortages, excess inventory and supply risks and escalate where appropriate.

• Monitor supplier delivery performance to support product availability and customer service requirements.

• Raise and manage purchase orders in accordance with purchasing plans and supplier agreements.

• Support the resolution of supplier delivery and invoice related issues.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor purchasing performance against agreed KPIs and escalate improvement opportunities to the Procurement Manager & Business Process Manager.

• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, supplier performance and product availability.

• Support delivery of agreed procurement and business improvement initiatives.

• Participate in procurement and supply chain improvement projects and support implementation of agreed process changes.

• Produce and maintain purchasing, supplier and inventory performance reports and KPI metrics.

Systems & Process Development

• Support ERP and system improvements by providing user requirements, participating in testing activities and supporting adoption of new processes and system functionality.

• Support ERP master data maintenance, including supplier, product and pricing information.

• Support data accuracy, reporting and purchasing system integrity.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Customer Service, Operations, Logistics and other stakeholders to support customer requirements and business objectives.

• Communicate supply risks, inventory issues, delivery concerns and improvement opportunities to relevant stakeholders.

• Support cross-functional initiatives designed to improve operational efficiency, customer service and supply chain performance.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide day-to-day direction, guidance and support to the Purchasing Coordinator.

• Allocate and monitor workload to ensure purchasing administration activities are completed accurately and on time.

• Support the training and development of the Purchasing Coordinator.

• Monitor performance and provide regular feedback to support continuous improvement.

• Ensure purchasing procedures and data standards are consistently followed.

• Act as the first point of escalation for purchasing administration issues.

Skills and Knowledge:

Essential

• Previous experience in buyer or supply chain position including international procurement.

• Experience managing supplier relationships and purchasing activities.

• Experience supporting supplier negotiations and sourcing activities.

• Proven experience in leading supplier meetings.

• Knowledge of procurement best practices and supplier performance management.

• Understanding of inventory management, demand planning principles and stock forecasting.

• Experience analysing purchasing data, supplier performance and KPIs.

• Strong ERP system experience.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to work independently and self-manage workload and areas of responsibility.

• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple activities in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience supporting ERP implementation or system improvement projects.

• Previous experience within the flat roofing, roofing products, construction materials or building products sector.

• Experience with intercompany purchasing.

• Leadership experience with a small team.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role within the organisation and the overall business objectives of the organisation.

Join Our Team

How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying for the role, please send your CV to hr@soprema.co.uk.