Purchasing / Materials Manager

This market leading company, requires candidates with a proven track record in Purchasing with extensive experience of all aspects of material management covering both component and finished goods.

The ideal candidate should have an impressive background in purchasing, preferably within manufacturing.  They will have relevant academic qualifications (CIPS ideally) and have developed a career in an environment which serves a demanding customer base.  A high degree of thoroughness and reliability is critical to the success of this role.

The key focus of this role is to further develop and deliver the purchasing function in line with business demands while maintaining leading levels of customer service to both internal and external customers. Together with the ability to deliver and improve both the daily operational elements of the Purchasing function.

The immediate focus of this role is:

• Effective implementation of MRP on our new platform to ensure highly accurate and up-to-date purchasing information
• Improvement of our out of stock performance by addressing issues related to timely ordering, forecasting, departmental practices and supply chain management
• Reduction and control of excess stocks in all product categories
• Overall reduction in current inventory levels through the use of MRP and purchasing practices relating to reviews of safety stocks, seasonality and promotional activity and trends
• The implementation and training of standard operating procedures for the assessment of purchases and their consistent and timely application on a day to day basis
• Effective management and control of direct reports and the development of an outward looking department with due attention paid to business support and customer orientation

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required:

• A minimum of 5 years experience within a purchasing environment
• Extensive material management experience
• Knowledge of 'Lean’ principles
• Excellent IT skills including experience of ERP platforms and analytical reports
• Highly analytical and proactive with the ability to drive improvement
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, demonstrating the ability to make prompt, clear decisions, delegate work appropriately and motivate and empower others
• Tenacious and robust attitude with a high degree of flexibility
• First class communicator with the ability to interface and work well with cross functional teams
• CIPS member ideally