Purchasing Coordinator jobs
Running a procurement operation for a large company is not a simple task, and it is certainly not something that can be left to uncoordinated individuals to perform. No matter how talented and hard-working they are, there will inevitably be gaps and overlaps in their purchasing efforts, and this will all add up to inefficiencies in the system.
The purchasing coordinator will work alongside the purchasing manager and head office to make sure plans are implemented in a methodical and efficient manner, thus maximising the effect of the procurement department. He or she will be involved with planning when to approach companies with procurement propositions and when to embark on negotiations of rates with potential and existing suppliers.
With all the procurement figures at his or her disposal, the purchasing coordinator will have some responsibility for analysing performance and identifying areas where savings can be made, although in many cases the calculations will be carried out by specialist analysts and/or software. Once the statistics have been absorbed and interpreted, it will be up to the purchasing coordinator to steer the procurement department in the correct direction to improve performance and help boost company profits.
The skills required
The purchasing coordinator is a role of many strands, with a host of skills coming into play. There are the people management skills – relaying the plans made with the management to the team so that everyone knows their role perfectly. There are also very important analysis responsibilities in this role, too. Although the actual analysis might not be performed by the coordinator in person, it is vital that they fully understand the results, conclusions and recommendations when they are planning their coordination actions.
Ideally, the purchasing coordinator will have a background in procurement at some level, but managerial experience with some executive responsibilities would be valued as experience.
Purchasing Coordinator Jobs in Runcorn
It might be difficult to imagine it now, but Runcorn was once a celebrated spa town and health retreat right up to the Industrial Revolution, whereupon its prime location made its industrialisation rapid. The town is located on the south bank of the River Mersey just before it flows east to the Wirral peninsula and Liverpool. The last bridge over the Mersey passes between Runcorn and Widnes; it is a railway bridge directly adjacent to the impressive steel-arch bridge that takes advantage of a natural outcrop, but still has a single span of 330m. For a time there were three crossings, including a transporter bridge, but this was dismantled in 1961. A brand new crossing has been planned which will ease congestion on the roads.
Runcorn’s main industry has always been, and remains, chemicals. Chlorine, caustic soda, hydrogen and polymers have been produced there for over a hundred years. The town is served by a mainline railway (Liverpool to London) and no fewer than three canals – the Manchester Ship, the Bridegwater and the Weaver Navigation. The town had a busy dockyard up until the post-war period, when it fell into decline.
The town remains an industrial and commercial hub in the immediate vicinity, with several large industrial estates, trading estates and retail parks in and around the town, thanks to massive regeneration efforts in the 1970s and 1980s. Runcorn has a large new town that was built to house the overspill from Liverpool. With the M56 to Manchester, links to Liverpool and Chester and a good rail and waterway network, there are several distribution centres in and around the town, making Runcorn an excellent place to look for Purchasing Coordinator work.
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Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Cast UK was founded by logistics, procurement and supply chain specialists, 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.
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. 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.
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 Coordinator for your business or find you a job as a Purchasing Coordinator then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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