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 Wigan
Wigan could be the archetypal northern town, fulfilling practically every stereotype people might have of the region. It was a relatively sleepy farming and market town in between the minor cities of Manchester and Liverpool and then along came the Industrial revolution and everything changed. While most northern towns had a single trade, be it coal, mills, glass or engineering, Wigan got a bit of everything, particularly the first two. The canals and railways came to town and the population exploded, and Wigan became a real powerhouse in the region, with an estimated thousand mines running simultaneously.
And then, true to the script, the town went into decline as manufacturing went abroad or the demand for its produce waned. But the population of Wigan weren’t cowed by this. They diversified and the town is still thriving to this day. The Tote, Heinz, JJB Sports and Chinamex all have a presence here, and it’s also the home of Uncle Joe’s mintballs!
The town, which is situated between the M61 and the M6, has good shopping and employment, and has a lively entertainment sector, with revellers travelling miles for its night life. It also boasts two top-flight sports clubs: Wigan Athletic Football Club and the rugby league club Wigan Warriors. Ukulele and saucy song maestro George Formby was born in Wigan, as was 80s pop sensation Limahl (he of Kajagoogoo fame, not one of the other Limahls) and the band The Verve. Much-missed actor Roy Kinnear was born there too.
With great links to the major North West cities and towns, an active population of approaching 300,000 throughout the borough and a diverse employment status, Wigan is a great place to find a Purchasing Analyst position.
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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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