Procurement Director - Burnley

Procurement Director jobs

Procurement is a key concern in every sector - from manufacturing, construction, retail, education and medical, through to government and defence.

This is especially true in a difficult economy, where savings need to be made across the board and the sourcing of products and services must be done with the greatest care to ensure the best outcome.

The role of a procurement director varies from company to company, but the job will generally comprise of responsibilities from managing projects and reporting to stakeholders, through to effectively leading a team and ensuring all procurement activities represent the best value for money.

Other tasks may include designing, updating or re-developing the company's supply chain procedures and taking steps to ensure that all processes run as smoothly as possible.

In all cases, procurement directors will need to demonstrate continual improvements in established routines and instigate regular updates in response to changes in legislation or sector developments.

The skills required

Those applying for procurement director jobs should have an extensive understanding of the entire supply chain process - from tendering and proposals through to assessing suppliers and completing projects.

They should also be well versed in best practice techniques, any applicable legal issues and the latest technologies used in the procurement process.

Since the role will generally involve overseeing a team, applicants will need to possess good planning and leadership skills, as well as an ability to communicate effectively and coach employees. In addition, excellent negotiation, planning, presentation and organisation skills are a must.

Procurement Director Jobs in Burnley

Whereas most northern towns with milling and industrial heritage are closely linked to a major city such as Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle or Glasgow, Burnley is something of an oddity thanks to its relative isolation. It’s a good 22 miles (34 km) to the centre of Manchester to its direct south, about the same distance west or Bradford and the next major settlement to its north is Carlisle, 80 miles (130 km) away. Its nearest neighbour is Blackburn, 10 miles to the west and roughly Burnley’s twin in terms of population (and its footballing rival).

Burnley started out as a market town, trading chiefly in wool and other farm products, until the Industrial Revolution, and particularly the canals, reached the town. When coal was discovered close by, the picture was complete. Before long the town was thriving, with wool mills and eventually cotton mills powered by steam engines making the town thunder with productivity. Inevitably, the mills were to gradually close down and Burnley went through a period of isolation and stagnation, particularly after the Second World War.

The town is, however, looking forward, and has attracted investment and jobs over recent years. Industrial estates have sprung up around the town, and perhaps because of the distance to large cities, Burnley has become almost self-sufficient when it comes to retail, with a bustling town centre and a host of chains setting up shop there. This all adds up to a positive story for those looking for Procurement Director positions in the Burnley area.

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Discover new procurement opportunities with Cast UK

Whether you're seeking an opportunity as a procurement director in a stand-alone organisation, or in a shared services environment, Cast UK can help applicants find vacancies that match your skills and experience.

As a leading UK recruitment agency, our team of consultants have a strong understanding of these fields, enabling us to match applicants to the most appropriate roles - saving both time and excess costs for everyone involved.

To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Procurement Director for your business or find you a job as a Procurement Director then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.

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