Head of Purchasing jobs
In today’s world, the price, quality and availability of a product are all carefully scrutinised by consumers, no matter which industry you’re operating in.
That’s why the role of Head of Purchasing is so important for a company’s success: this person works to ensure that the various assets an enterprise acquires are right for business needs.
This is usually based on criteria such as how much it costs and if stocks arrive on time, thus keeping business moving forward. The quality of the product is also an important consideration.
As the Head of Purchasing, your responsibilities will generally include creating and implementing strategies for choosing suppliers. You will also need to continually reassess and renegotiate agreements in order to maximise margins and drive business.
Depending on the role, the Head of Purchasing may be responsible for managing a team and providing training and support as necessary.
The skills required
If you’re applying for a vacancy as Head of Purchasing, good communication skills are a must and you should be able to effectively negotiate contracts with suppliers. In some cases, foreign languages may be beneficial, especially if goods are sourced from other countries.
Candidates should be analytical and able to understand the intricacies of even the most complicated supply chains. You should also be self-motivated and the type of person who is always looking for ways to improve the company’s standing in the market.
In addition, a good working knowledge of the various software and systems used in the industry is a must.
Head of Purchasing Jobs in Carlisle
Carlisle is the north-easternmost city in England, its outskirts lying just 4 miles (6 km) from the Scottish border. It’s roughly equal to Newcastle-upon-Tyne in terms of latitude, although it is much smaller, having a population of only 100,000. The city is served by the M6 which passes along its east side as it makes its way from Preston and Birmingham in the south, and changes into the A74(M) as it goes north towards Glasgow. The road east is the A59 which heads to Newcastle, and westwards, the A595 reaches the coastal towns of Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness. Carlisle is also on the main railway line from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinbugh. It is also the end point of the Settle to Carlisle railway line, which is considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the UK.
The city can trace its roots back at least to Roman times, where, it is thought, it would have been a settlement connected with Hadrian’s Wall; the Wall would have sliced modern-day Carlisle in two. It must have been considered a strategic hotspot as it continued to be settled after the Romans, and a castle was built there in medieval times, as was the town’s cathedral. The city changed hands many times over the following centuries, most notably in 1745 when it was briefly held by Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Carlisle did play its part in the Industrial Revolution, but its relative isolation meant it was never one of the major players. It did grow a thriving railway engineering industry, however, and textiles were quite an important employer. Carr’s of Carlisle was founded around this time, and it would later become United Biscuits. Metal Box had a factory in the city, and it lives on under the Crown Holdings umbrella. There is still plenty of diversity in Carlisle’s industrial base, and as it’s so well connected it will always be a good place to look for Head of Purchasing jobs. The logistics industry would be quite different today without one of its Carlisle’s successful companies, Eddie Stobart, which was founded in the 1950s.
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Discover Head of Purchasing positions with Cast UK
If you’re looking for a new opportunity as a Head of Purchasing, Cast UK can help you find the right job for your skills and qualifications.
Our team of recruitment consultants are experts in the industry, having worked in the field for many years themselves. This unique knowledge means that we are perfectly placed to make the best placements for each vacancy.
So if you're ready to take your next step on the career ladder, look no further than Cast UK. To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Purchasing for your business or find you a job as a Head of Purchasing then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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