Purchasing Manager
Location: Reading, Berkshire
Salary: £35,000 – £42,000 DOE
Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent | Office Based
Join a Growing Business Where Purchasing Makes a Difference
We are recruiting for an experienced Purchasing Manager to join a successful and growing business based in Reading, Berkshire.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in purchasing, procurement, buying or supply chain who enjoys building supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements and ensuring products are sourced efficiently to meet customer demand.
As Purchasing Manager, you will take ownership of the company’s purchasing and procurement activities, ensuring stock availability, managing supplier performance, improving inventory control and driving continuous improvements across the supply chain. Working closely with the Commercial, Sales, Warehouse and Finance teams, you’ll play a key role in supporting business growth while maintaining excellent service levels.
The Role: As Purchasing Manager, you’ll be responsible for managing the day-to-day purchasing and procurement function, ensuring products are purchased competitively, delivered on time and maintained at optimum stock levels.
This is a varied role offering responsibility for supplier management, purchasing strategy, inventory management and process improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day purchasing and procurement activities across the business.
- Raise and manage purchase orders in line with demand forecasting and stock requirements.
- Develop strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.
- Negotiate pricing, commercial agreements, lead times and supplier terms.
- Monitor supplier performance and resolve any supply or delivery issues.
- Track purchase orders and communicate delivery updates to internal departments.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and update ERP and inventory management systems.
- Develop and maintain ABC stock classifications to improve purchasing efficiencies.
- Monitor inventory levels and identify replenishment requirements.
- Improve stock availability whilst reducing excess inventory and supporting business cash flow.
- Work closely with Sales, Commercial, Warehouse and Finance teams to ensure products are available when required.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve purchasing processes.
- Research new suppliers and evaluate alternative sourcing opportunities.
- Attend supplier meetings and relevant industry trade shows.
- Produce purchasing reports and analyse supplier performance.
- Ensure purchased products meet required quality, technical and commercial standards.
- Drive continuous improvement across purchasing, procurement and supply chain processes.
About You
To be successful in this Purchasing Manager role you will have experience in purchasing, procurement, buying or supply chain management within a fast-paced commercial environment.
You’ll be commercially aware, highly organised and confident negotiating with suppliers whilst managing stock effectively.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Previous experience as a Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager, Senior Buyer, Buyer or Supply Chain professional.
- Strong purchasing and procurement experience.
- Excellent supplier relationship management skills.
- Experience negotiating pricing, contracts and commercial agreements.
- Strong stock control and inventory management experience.
- Experience raising and managing purchase orders.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritise workload within a fast-paced environment.
Desirable
- Experience within wholesale, distribution, construction, electrical, engineering or technical products.
- Experience using ERP, purchasing or inventory management systems.
- Experience using Intact iQ, SAP, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics or similar ERP software.
- Knowledge of forecasting, demand planning and inventory optimisation.
- CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS would be advantageous.
What’s on Offer
- £35,000 – £42,000 salary depending on experience.
- Permanent, full-time position.
- Office-based role in Reading, Berkshire.
- Pension scheme.
- Private healthcare following successful completion of probation.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunity to make a real impact within a growing business.
