Purchasing Analyst jobs
The procurement operation of any company will play a huge part in its costs, and therefore its profits and stability, so it is not something that can be left to chance. The purchasing analyst will be in charge of gathering data from various sources within a company and using the data to create precise performance charts to be viewed by key decision makers within the company. The quality of forecasting and the ability to spot areas where major savings can be made will be at least partly dependent upon the ability of the purchasing analyst to glean the most appropriate data from what could be a highly complex set of statistics.
The role will involve two very different but equally important lines of communication open: with people and with the digital resources. They should form close relationships with every manager and buyer who has direct contact with the materials or goods that are part of his or her remit in order to get a better feel for the direction the purchasing operation is taking and catch wind of any plans for the future that could affect the business, as well as to find out how any plans that have stemmed from their own analysis are going.
The digital channels will be the conduits to the raw data on which he or she will be basing the analysis, and thus a full understanding of the system(s) being used will be required. All members of the purchasing team and the purchasing analyst should be fully synchronised when it comes to using the computerised systems, and the analyst should be able to access any critical information held in them.
The skills required
Much of what the purchasing analyst does will be carried out at the computer, so he or she should be extremely competent at computing, particularly in extracting data from disparate sources and manipulating them to create meaningful analytical calculations. They should also be able to represent these data in clear ways, be it in figures and tables or graphically, using slide presentations and such like.
The whole range of interpersonal skills will be required to do the job effectively, so purchasing analysts will need to be as good at listening and absorbing information as they are at relaying their calculations and findings to the relevant parts of the company. On their data much of the company’s finances rest, so just as important as the accuracy of the figures will be the ability to clearly communicate them.
Purchasing Analyst Jobs in East Kilbride
Before the Second World War, East Kilbride was a relatively small town several miles from the south of Glasgow. After the war, however, when the government was looking for sites to found new towns all over Britain, the village was chosen as one to house displaced Glaswegians and to ease the crowded city which had seen heavy bombing. Over time, the town grew and now there’s just a mile of countryside between East Kilbride’s north and Glasgow’s south, and on its east side it is starting to merge with Hamilton. The town is now treated as a suburb of Glasgow, and has a population of around 75,000.
The town has associations with more celebrities and musicians than it probably should for its size. The list of residents and ex-residents includes TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, MP Liam Fox, indie band the Jesus and Mary Chain, Aztec Camera singer Roddy Frame, footballer and manager Ally McCoist and Four Weddings actor John Hannah. George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-four in the town when he was recovering from tuberculosis.
Although East Kilbride’s purpose is necessarily residential, there is some industry there, and the town has no fewer than six shopping malls. With its position so close to Glasgow, good transport links and industrial estates at its north west and south east sides, East Kilbride might be a good place to look for Purchasing Analyst work in the Glasgow area.
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Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Cast UK were founded by specialists in the fields, and our consultants are all from these backgrounds too, so we have in-depth knowledge of what employers and candidates are looking for. Employers come to us to find candidates because they’re confident that we’ll help them find the most appropriate managers and executives.
If you’re moving house, please see if there are any positions available in the area you’re moving to; and if you’re simply looking for more fulfilment in your working life, there could be an employer looking for the skills you have. Cast UK have jobs all over the UK, so we are well placed to find you work in logistics, procurement or supply chain wherever you are located or plan to locate.
When we have your details, we’ll be able to start matching you with positions as soon as they arise, so do get in touch if you’re looking for a job in procurement.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Purchasing Analyst for your business or find you a job as a Purchasing Analyst then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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