Purchasing Specialist jobs
Procurement and supply chain management are an important part of any company, no matter what the industry or business model.
The Purchasing Specialist for a manufacturing facility, for example, will need to find suppliers and liaise with them to ensure the raw materials for a project are delivered on time and within budget. That way, production can continue at the intended pace.
Meanwhile, the Purchasing Specialist for a supermarket chain will source the various products sold in shops, making sure all products are priced competitively and that shelves are always well stocked.
Of course, having too much of something could actually be detrimental to a company. Warehouse space for overstocked goods can be difficult to find and the extra inventory can be problematic for a company’s bottom line. As a Purchasing Specialist, you will need to find and maintain the right balance.
The skills required
Depending on the employer, the role of a Purchasing Specialist will vary. In any position, however, strong organisational skills and an ability to communicate and negotiate effectively are essential. You should also be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the systems and software that are commonly used in the field.
Self-motivation is important, and you should always be looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs and improve customer perceptions. In most cases, you will also be responsible for reporting on KPIs to company stakeholders.
Many Purchasing Specialists will be team leaders and daily tasks may include training and providing guidance to staff, as well as dealing with any problems as they arise.
Purchasing Specialist Jobs in High Wycombe
The Buckinghamshire town of High Wycombe might sound like a sleepy village with a cricket pitch and a pub, but it’s actually a large town that’s quite industrialised, especially for a southern town. In the past it has been known as a mill town and a paper making centre, but it is probably its furniture workshops for which it became best known. Thousands of terraced homes were built for the workers, and by the middle of the nineteenth century High Wycombe rivalled the towns around Manchester for its industriousness, but also for its squalor. A major redevelopment was carried out in the 1920s to bring habitation up to modern standards. During the Second World War, RAF Bomber Command was based in the town, and was joined in 1942 by the United States’ equivalent.
Although the actual town of High Wycombe has a population of around 75,000, it is part of an amalgamation of smaller towns whose population totals around 120,000. The town is on the M40, about halfway between the centre of London and Oxford.
High Wycombe might have had its ups and downs economically, but it appears to be on the up at the moment, and Purchasing Specialist jobs have been found in the area. With excellent road and rail links to London and Oxford, it’s a natural place for a distribution centre. Its status as something of a commuter town also means there’s a lot of movement of goods into High Wycombe.
Popular locations
Discover Purchasing Specialist roles with Cast UK
Based in Manchester, Cast UK undertakes recruitment projects for clients throughout the country, helping to find the right talent for every vacancy.
Our team of consultants have previously worked in these fields, meaning they have an understanding of what makes a good candidate. We also have a team of regional specialists who can provide advice about the job market in particular areas.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Purchasing Specialist for your business or find you a job as a Purchasing Specialist then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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