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 Reading
Situated in the Thames Valley where the Thames and River Kennet converge, Reading is a town in south-east England known as a centre of commerce and an excellent choice for those seeking Head of Purchasing vacancies.
The area was first settled in the 8th century, the local abbey was founded in 1121 and by 1538 Reading had become one of the largest towns in the area. The region thrived on the wealth generated by trading cloth until the English Civil War.
With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, Reading was again making a name for itself, this time with a combination of ironworks and brewing.
The region benefited from improved trade with London due to the building of better roads, the establishment of various railways and the opening of the river to boat traffic. Indeed, the Kennet and Avon canal was opened in 1810, which meant that goods could travel by barge all the way to the Bristol Channel.
Fast forward to today and Reading is a centre for technology, finance and retail.
Top companies headquartered in the town include ING Direct, Yell Group and BG. Meanwhile, Prudential, PepsiCo, Holiday Inn, Bang & Olufsen, Intel, Cisco, Symantec, Nvidia, Virgin Media, Xerox and Verizon all have offices in Reading.
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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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