Assistant Buyer
Theale
£competitive
Lockhart Catering Equipment specialise in supplying high calibre and unique products through their superior brands, providing customers with innovation, inspiration, and differentiation. A trading division of Bunzl UK Ltd, Lockhart Catering Equipment are one of the world's finest suppliers of quality catering equipment and clothing. They are renowned for being a prestigious brand which is associated with the top catering and leisure establishments across the country.
Role Overview:
I am seeking a buyer to join a market leading retailer based near Reading. You will be responsible for managing day to day purchasing activities for strategically critical categories. You will also take responsibility for emerging categories and the position has the scope to develop into a category manager within the purchasing function.
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure accurate product information relating to pricing & costs
- Ensure purchase order accuracy and invoice checking
- Review and management of rebates
- Continuous review of stock levels, acting to maintain a balanced level of stock in line with demand
- Generate new opportunities for brand and revenue growth through product development
- Manage pre shipment inspection processes
- Monitor and manage supplier performance
- Generate savings from tactical purchasing and strategic sourcing initiatives
- Identify new opportunities by offering solutions to branded product ranges
- Manage new product introduction process
- Promote to increase market penetration and where required clear stocks
- Maintain key supplier information including contract details, pricing, product specifications, and lead times
- Support the tender process for new business
- Support the sales teams with product support information
- Ensure quality control practices are carried out and acted upon
- Regular review of stock positions, purchase order and logistics to ensure a smooth flow of goods preventing out of stock situations and over stock of goods
Key Skills and Experience Required:
- Confident, outgoing individual with strong communication and customer relationship management skills
- Experience or knowledge of purchasing/ product marketing
- Experience working with suppliers based in the far east is highly desirable
- Strong financial and numerical acumen
- Strong Excel skills with the ability to create pivot tables and v-lookups
- Experience working with electronic/ electrical equipment is desirable