Head of Buying jobs
As a departmental lead, Head of Buying is a role involving supporting, designing and implementing market-leading strategies.
With strong commercial acumen, this person will manage relationships with suppliers and oversee revenue and cost budgeting. Effective negotiation will ensure ROI and Head of Buyers will constantly be reviewing new sourcing opportunities as well as being involved in new product development. As a profit centre in its own right, the buying department is central to an organisation’s commercial gain.
A Head of Buying will have a multi-disciplinary role, looking after short, mid and long-term projects, chairing monthly divisional operational meetings and advising the business on key developments. The individual will typically work with other areas of the business to ensure individual brand objectives, as well as group objectives, are met.
The skills required
As an experienced manager, you will require at least 5 years’ proven track record of overseeing a team. Strong negotiation skills are mandatory, with experience of strategic purchasing.
An ability to lead, influence and coach others is vital for this role as well as the capability to work in a fast-moving, demanding environment that requires strong organisational skills. Highly numerate, IT literate and analytical, you will be someone who remains calm under pressure and be an adept communicator.
Flexibility is key as well as being self-driven, honest and capable of driving team member development. It’s important you are confident to challenge accepted ways of buying, and continually strive to innovate.
You will be an experienced project manager with excellent presentation skills and able to effectively report to all parts of the business, including company directors.
Head of Buying Jobs in Preston
A city located in Lancashire, Preston is an area that has been settled since Roman times. In 1179, it was granted a Guild Merchant charter, making it a market town, and by the 13th century the city was known for its textile production.
During the Industrial Revolution, the city underwent rapid growth, particularly as innovations in textile manufacture helped to increase production.
In the early 20th century, the cotton industry fell into steep decline and this was slowly replaced by the manufacture of electrical goods, heavy industry and engineering.
These days, those seeking Head of Buying roles in Preston will have a number of options to consider. James Hall and Co is a haulage supplier based in the city - they are the distributors for SPAR stores in the north of England and ship a wide range of goods to more than 450 shops in the region.
Meanwhile, other companies with facilities in the area include Matalan and Alstom Transport. A large call centre for the Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk is also based in Preston.
In addition, the military aircraft HQ of BAE Systems and other divisions of the firm are based on the outskirts of the city and in neighbouring communities like Warton.
Popular locations
Search for Head of Buying opportunities with Cast UK
As market leading recruitment specialists for professional level buying roles across the sectors, Cast UK is committed to building long-term relationships with our clients, enabling us to understand their business models and the roles they are recruiting.
We get to know the personalities and objectives of each candidate; understanding what motivates them, and the appropriate cultural fit for them. This attention to detail means that we are able to make excellent matches between applicants and employers, making placements that are lasting and mutually rewarding.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Buying role for your business or find you a job as Head of Buying, contact one of our consultant team on 0161 825 0825
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