Indirect Purchasing Manager jobs
While procurement costs of the raw materials and goods are a vital factor in a company’s profitability, so are the auxiliary costs – things like office space, security and administration. Many businesses now actively set about procuring these services with as much vigour for economy as they do for their ongoing, vital costs, and in larger operations the procurement effort is actually split into two: direct and indirect procurement.
The indirect purchasing manager will either be in charge of these purchases personally or will head up a department of staff who will be tasked with seeking out better deals for their companies’ running costs. In many ways, these costs are just as important as the direct costs, as they all add to the company’s expenditure and their reduction is clearly beneficial. However, it’s also a set of costs that are all too often overlooked; most companies would rather spend more on their office space than go through all the hassle of relocating. Part of the indirect purchasing manager’s job will be communicating benefits clearly to senior management, as fast action could result in massive savings.
The job will also require a good deal of ongoing analysis of costs both within their own company and in the market in general, which will help to identify trends and increase the ability to spot good deals when they arise.
The skills required
The indirect purchasing manager will be constantly analysing figures to seek out economies, so great analytical skills will be required to make the job work. Much of this part of the job will be carried out using specialist software solutions, so an above average aptitude with a range of popular accounting and procurement solutions will be advantageous. There will also be a good deal of report-writing to keep head office informed of the state of play, so good communication skills and word processing ability will be highly valued.
If the indirect purchasing manager is in charge of a department, people management skills will be required, preferably with a proven track record of managing a team of people. On the other hand, if the manager is himself or herself in charge of the whole operation, they will need to be a motivated self-starter, able to do the job effectively with minimal contact with head office.
Indirect Purchasing Manager Jobs in Birmingham
The UK's second most populous metropolitan area, Birmingham is often called Britain's second city (although Manchester also lays claim to that title). In any case, it has been a hub of British industry and commerce for hundreds of years, and here at Cast UK, we can help you find your ideal Indirect Purchasing Manager job in Birmingham.
In 1791, Arthur Young called Birmingham the world's first manufacturing town and by the mid-1800s it was known for its metal ware. Goods ranged from toys and jewellery through to guns, tools and dishes. Brass, gold, silver, steel and tin were all used, while other products included buttons, glasswork and ceramics.
Times have changed for Birmingham, and it has since become a hub of finance and commerce.
A huge redevelopment scheme, called the Big City Plan, is aiming to make the city one of the world's most liveable locations and the Globalization and World Cities Research Network has ranked it a beta world city due to its importance as a retail, events, conference and transport centre.
Indeed, Birmingham boasts three universities, several colleges, large exhibition centres like the NEC and the International Convention Centre, as well as the Bullring, one of the largest shopping centres in the country.
Many big companies call the city home, and around ten per cent of jobs are based in manufacturing, with employers including Jaguar, Goodyear Dunlop, Cadbury Trebor Bassett and Webley & Scott.
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Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Cast UK were founded by specialists in logistics, supply chain and procurement, and our consultants are also drawn from these backgrounds, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for when they come to us. In fact, employers often approach us to find managerial and executive candidates before they are advertised, so if you’re in procurement, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Whether you’re relocating for personal reasons or are simply looking for more job fulfilment, there could well be an employer who’s looking for the skills you have. At any given time, Cast UK have jobs all over the UK, so wherever you live, or plan to live, we are well placed to find work that suits your skills.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit an Indirect Purchasing Manager for your business or find you a job as an Indirect Purchasing Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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