Head of Purchasing - Surrey

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 Surrey

Located in the South East of England, Surrey shares borders with Kent, East and West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire, as well as Greater London, making it one of the Home Counties.

There are many large towns and villages in Surrey - such as Woking, Guildford, Ewell, Epsom and Redhill - making it a suitable choice for those seeking Head of Purchasing opportunities. What's more, with much of the county being considered part of the London commuter belt, it's also a good location for those who want to work in the capital but live away from the city.

For much of Surrey's modern history, the region has been known for paper manufacturing and gunpowder. However, these were in steep decline by the early 20th century and new industries took over, such as bicycle and car manufacture.

The McLaren Group, one of the best-known names in automotives, is based here. It has manufacturing and administration facilities in Woking and has also opened a technology centre for research and development.

Some of the region's other top employers include engineering firm WS Atkins, Philips Electronics, Colgate-Palmolive and Ericsson. There's also a large Alexander Dennis factory in the area, which manufactures chassis for buses and fire engines.

Popular locations

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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