Purchasing Specialist - Suffolk

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 Suffok

Sharing borders with Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex, Suffolk is a county in East Anglia that is situated on the coast of the North Sea.

Although Suffolk does not have any cities within its boundaries, anyone seeking Purchasing Specialist roles in the area will have a number of options to choose from in the larger towns of Lowestoff, Felixstowe and Bury St Edmunds, as well as the county town of Ipswich.

Primarily an agricultural region, Suffolk grows a number of crops including rapeseed, wheat, barley, sugar beet, linseed, oats, rye and various vegetables.

The Port of Felixstowe processes around 35 per cent of the UK's container cargo, making it the largest port of its kind in the country, and one of the busiest in Europe. There's also a port at Ipswich; it is home to a number of shipbuilders and Fairline Yachts has a testing facility here.

Other major employers in Suffolk include Birds Eye, Greene King brewing, Bernard Matthews Farms and Huntley & Palmers. In addition, Premier Foods manufactures Branston Pickle in the region.

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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