Head of Buying jobs
As a departmental lead, Head of Buying is a role involving supporting, designing and implementing market-leading strategies.
With strong commercial acumen, this person will manage relationships with suppliers and oversee revenue and cost budgeting. Effective negotiation will ensure ROI and Head of Buyers will constantly be reviewing new sourcing opportunities as well as being involved in new product development. As a profit centre in its own right, the buying department is central to an organisation’s commercial gain.
A Head of Buying will have a multi-disciplinary role, looking after short, mid and long-term projects, chairing monthly divisional operational meetings and advising the business on key developments. The individual will typically work with other areas of the business to ensure individual brand objectives, as well as group objectives, are met.
The skills required
As an experienced manager, you will require at least 5 years’ proven track record of overseeing a team. Strong negotiation skills are mandatory, with experience of strategic purchasing.
An ability to lead, influence and coach others is vital for this role as well as the capability to work in a fast-moving, demanding environment that requires strong organisational skills. Highly numerate, IT literate and analytical, you will be someone who remains calm under pressure and be an adept communicator.
Flexibility is key as well as being self-driven, honest and capable of driving team member development. It’s important you are confident to challenge accepted ways of buying, and continually strive to innovate.
You will be an experienced project manager with excellent presentation skills and able to effectively report to all parts of the business, including company directors.
Head of Buying Jobs in the East Midlands
Comprising counties like Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, the East Midlands is a wonderful choice for those seeking Head of Buying vacancies.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, many scientific discoveries were made in the East Midlands. It was a pivotal place for the Industrial Revolution, being home to what many call the first modern factory - John Smedley's textile production facility at Lea Bridge, which was opened in 1794.
Some of the earliest military tanks were manufactured in Lincoln, while jet engines were also developed in the region - with the first jet aircraft flying from RAF Cranwell in 1941.
Meanwhile, Derby was home to a Rolls-Royce factory that produced Merlin aero-engines until 1950, as well as a railway works. The Corby Steelworks in Northamptonshire was one of the largest facilities of its type in the middle of the 20th century.
Today, manufacturing is still a major part of the economy of the East Midlands. A number of big-name firms operate in the region, including Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Triumph Motorcycles, Toyota, Caterpillar and LaFarge Aggregates. There's also Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, which builds Formula One engines in Brixworth.
What's more, Bombardier Transportation in Derby produces new rolling stock for London Underground, and is the only remaining train manufacturer in the UK - it also builds Turbo Star and ElectroStar overground units.
Popular locations
Search for Head of Buying opportunities with Cast UK
As market leading recruitment specialists for professional level buying roles across the sectors, Cast UK is committed to building long-term relationships with our clients, enabling us to understand their business models and the roles they are recruiting.
We get to know the personalities and objectives of each candidate; understanding what motivates them, and the appropriate cultural fit for them. This attention to detail means that we are able to make excellent matches between applicants and employers, making placements that are lasting and mutually rewarding.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Buying role for your business or find you a job as Head of Buying, contact one of our consultant team on 0161 825 0825
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