Head of Purchasing - St Albans

Head of Purchasing jobs

In today’s world, the price, quality and availability of a product are all carefully scrutinised by consumers, no matter which industry you’re operating in.

That’s why the role of Head of Purchasing is so important for a company’s success: this person works to ensure that the various assets an enterprise acquires are right for business needs.

This is usually based on criteria such as how much it costs and if stocks arrive on time, thus keeping business moving forward. The quality of the product is also an important consideration.

As the Head of Purchasing, your responsibilities will generally include creating and implementing strategies for choosing suppliers. You will also need to continually reassess and renegotiate agreements in order to maximise margins and drive business.

Depending on the role, the Head of Purchasing may be responsible for managing a team and providing training and support as necessary.

The skills required

If you’re applying for a vacancy as Head of Purchasing, good communication skills are a must and you should be able to effectively negotiate contracts with suppliers. In some cases, foreign languages may be beneficial, especially if goods are sourced from other countries.

Candidates should be analytical and able to understand the intricacies of even the most complicated supply chains. You should also be self-motivated and the type of person who is always looking for ways to improve the company’s standing in the market.

In addition, a good working knowledge of the various software and systems used in the industry is a must.

Head of Purchasing Jobs in St Albans

St Albans is a historic city separated from the north London conurbation by about 6 miles of countryside. The city has had a presence for thousands of years, but it was the construction if its cathedral in the Middle Ages that brought the town to prominence (although it wasn’t formally completed until the nineteenth century). St Albans is supposed to be named after the first British Christian martyr, who was executed by the Romans.

The modern city is what estate agents would describe as full of character. It takes in architecture of many periods, although much of it is twentieth century detached or semi-detached housing or Victorian terrace. The city is served by two railway lines that carry passengers right into the heart of London (one via Watford Junction), and the town is nestles in a U-shape formed by the M1, M25 and A1(M). This ease of travel and the general pleasantness of the city has made it a highly attractive with commuters, and house prices have been kept high because of the demand.

Although many of the inhabitants pack themselves onto trains and head for London every working day, St Albans, with its economically active population, has quite an advanced infrastructure to maintain, which is why it is not unusual for Head of Purchasing positions to become available either in the city itself or in nearby Watford, Luton or Hemel Hempstead.

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Discover Head of Purchasing positions with Cast UK

If you’re looking for a new opportunity as a Head of Purchasing, Cast UK can help you find the right job for your skills and qualifications.

Our team of recruitment consultants are experts in the industry, having worked in the field for many years themselves. This unique knowledge means that we are perfectly placed to make the best placements for each vacancy.

So if you're ready to take your next step on the career ladder, look no further than Cast UK. To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Purchasing for your business or find you a job as a Head of Purchasing then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.

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