Head of Purchasing - Wigan

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 Wigan

Wigan could be the archetypal northern town, fulfilling practically every stereotype people might have of the region. It was a relatively sleepy farming and market town in between the minor cities of Manchester and Liverpool and then along came the Industrial revolution and everything changed. While most northern towns had a single trade, be it coal, mills, glass or engineering, Wigan got a bit of everything, particularly the first two. The canals and railways came to town and the population exploded, and Wigan became a real powerhouse in the region, with an estimated thousand mines running simultaneously.

And then, true to the script, the town went into decline as manufacturing went abroad or the demand for its produce waned. But the population of Wigan weren’t cowed by this. They diversified and the town is still thriving to this day. The Tote, Heinz, JJB Sports and Chinamex all have a presence here, and it’s also the home of Uncle Joe’s mintballs!

The town, which is situated between the M61 and the M6, has good shopping and employment, and has a lively entertainment sector, with revellers travelling miles for its night life. It also boasts two top-flight sports clubs: Wigan Athletic Football Club and the rugby league club Wigan Warriors. Ukulele and saucy song maestro George Formby was born in Wigan, as was 80s pop sensation Limahl (he of Kajagoogoo fame, not one of the other Limahls) and the band The Verve. Much-missed actor Roy Kinnear was born there too.

With great links to the major North West cities and towns, an active population of approaching 300,000 throughout the borough and a diverse employment status, Wigan is a great place to find a Head of Purchasing position.

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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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