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 Stourbridge
If you love the Birmingham conurbation and you’re travelling west, you’d better stop when you see signs for Stourbridge, because after the town you’ll be hit quite abruptly by the spread of green Shropshire countryside as far as the eye can see. The Bull ring, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Jasper Carrott will be distant memories.
If you stick around, though, you’ll be treated to a pleasant enough town, part of Birmingham’s commuter belt, with Wolverhampton to the north, Dudley to the north east and the centre of Birmingham 10 miles (16 km) to the east. Kidderminster is the next distinct town, 7 miles (12 km) south west. Stourbridge has a distinct suburban feel about it that somewhat hides the fact that it does have quite a strong industrial past, with a particular emphasis on glassmaking, which has all but shattered to nothing, albeit recently. The town still has a Festival of Glass every two years. Stourbridge does have its own shopping area, but it’s largely for everyday essentials, with a few bars and restaurants dotted around. Serious shoppers are still more likely to head into Birmingham.
Although not particularly industrialised, there are a few trading estates around the outskirts, and the town is well enough connected to the South West (via the M5 and rail links) and the rest of Birmingham for it not to matter. If you’re looking for Head of Purchasing work and you live in Stourbridge, there are occasional related jobs in the town, but looking north and east will probably produce better results.
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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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