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Culture and Environment
Become part of a vibrant, supportive team in an engaging, collaborative environment. Our client is committed to your growth, offering thorough training to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in your new role. The workplace boasts a modern, innovative design with a striking interior that creates a truly impressive atmosphere. Fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture.
Personality
The ideal candidate will have the ability to analyse and develop accurate conclusions to support category decisions based on key data. You will have strong persuasion skills to manage and influence at all levels of the company along with an analytical mind with strategic ability.
Package and benefits
- Monday to Friday 9:00am 5:00pm
- 3% employer contribution, 4% employee contribution, 1% tax relief, pensions advisor to visit the site twice a year
Healthcare
- All employees are entitled to the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme from day one, providing a free 24hr confidential helpline on various issues.
- On completion of the 6-month probationary period, healthcare cash plan is available
Holiday Entitlement
- 23 days holiday plus 8 statutory bank holidays. After 3 years service this increases to 24 days plus BH and at 6 years service it increases again to a maximum of 25 days plus BH.
- After completing 6-month probationary period, all employees are entitled to up to 5 days unpaid annual leave in addition to their paid allowance. This is pro-rata in the first part year, following probation.
Life Assurance
- 2x annual salary
Free onsite parking
Incredible core company values
Job Role:
- Managing projects from inception, through to Supplier selection, quotation assessment, sample approval and product introduction
- Improving prices and terms of business with Suppliers and review opportunities to make business savings, utilising effective negotiation skills
- Providing analysis on costs, including new and existing, and review cost reductions through regular benchmarking
- Researching, selecting and procuring quality products and materials
- Building relationships with suppliers and negotiating with them for the best price, quantities and delivery timescales
- Understanding the target market and analysing trends in order to make informed buying decisions
- An understanding of commodity codes and how to use them correctly when assessing landed costs
- Coordinating with supply chain team, management, and warehouse
- Monitoring the stock quality and escalating any discrepancies to suppliers and management
- Analysing data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends regarding the product and category
- Creating and developing a strategic long-term plan for the development of the category
- Developing an exit strategy for unsuccessful products
- Building and driving relationships with key suppliers to improve pricing and quality of services
- Working with purchasing team to ensure appropriate orders to maintain product availability
- Leading category management projects to optimise ranges
- Collaborating with buyers and sales to expand product categories
- Working with commercial teams to assist with creating forecasts for product demand to ensure sustainability of inventory
- Establishing new Suppliers and arrange necessary assessments, factory audits and compliance to proceed with initial orders
- Developing strong working relationships with buying, marketing, sales and other internal teams
- Preparing reports and updates to internal stakeholders as and when required
Skills and experience:
- Previous experience in a buying or purchasing role
- An understanding of the market and consumer insights and trends
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to aid negotiation
- Proficient in MS Office
- Good understanding of numeracy
- Commercial awareness
- Ability to make decisions and to cope with pressure and adapt to situations
- Able to work well in a team
- Good organisational skills
- An understanding of MRP systems is beneficial but not essential
- CIPS Qualification or working toward this would be beneficial
- A degree in a relevant subject, such as business, marketing, mathematics or finance or suitable experience as a buyer in a previous role
- Ability to travel overseas for trade fairs and supplier visits to countries such as China, India, Vietnam etc. depending on project requirements
Please Note: We do not contact or write to unsuccessful candidates. If we have not contacted you within 48 hours of your application, you should presume that your application was unsuccessful. By applying for this vacancy, you are permitting for Oakley Recruitment to contact you and retain your details. In compliance with the regulations (April 2004) in place under the Employment Agencies Act, Oakley Recruitment will require proof of identification. A copy of your passport, birth certificate and NI number will be required, as part of your interview process.
