Purchasing Specialist jobs
Procurement and supply chain management are an important part of any company, no matter what the industry or business model.
The Purchasing Specialist for a manufacturing facility, for example, will need to find suppliers and liaise with them to ensure the raw materials for a project are delivered on time and within budget. That way, production can continue at the intended pace.
Meanwhile, the Purchasing Specialist for a supermarket chain will source the various products sold in shops, making sure all products are priced competitively and that shelves are always well stocked.
Of course, having too much of something could actually be detrimental to a company. Warehouse space for overstocked goods can be difficult to find and the extra inventory can be problematic for a company’s bottom line. As a Purchasing Specialist, you will need to find and maintain the right balance.
The skills required
Depending on the employer, the role of a Purchasing Specialist will vary. In any position, however, strong organisational skills and an ability to communicate and negotiate effectively are essential. You should also be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the systems and software that are commonly used in the field.
Self-motivation is important, and you should always be looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs and improve customer perceptions. In most cases, you will also be responsible for reporting on KPIs to company stakeholders.
Many Purchasing Specialists will be team leaders and daily tasks may include training and providing guidance to staff, as well as dealing with any problems as they arise.
Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Crewe
There is no doubt about what Crewe is most famous for – it is the railways. Crewe is more than just a place that happened to have a railway junction nearby – it was virtually non-existent as a settlement until the railways came. Indeed, the town itself is named after the railway station it grew up around. Look at Crewe on a map and you’ll see six major lines emerging from it, heading to Shrewsbury/South Wales, Birmingham/London, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Liverpool and Chester/North Wales.
Such a key point in the railway network made it the natural choice to locate railway works, and so it came to be. The town grew up quickly around the works, and as it grew in importance other related industries set up there. Crewe’s most famous single business was Rolls Royce, who located their car manufacturing plant there. Since 2002, however, production at the site is entirely of Bentley cars. Although there are still railway locomotive maintenance plants in the town, they are a shadow of their former selves.
Crewe now has a population of around 70,000 and has diversified greatly from its railway heyday. It is still considered a reasonably good place to set up a logistics operation, mainly due to its rail and road links (the M6 passes just to its east), so Purchasing Specialist jobs in Crewe are not uncommon. Companies with a presence in the town include Bombardier, Bentley, BAE Systems, Air Products, Fujitsu and Barclay’s Bank.
Popular locations
Discover Purchasing Specialist roles with Cast UK
Based in Manchester, Cast UK undertakes recruitment projects for clients throughout the country, helping to find the right talent for every vacancy.
Our team of consultants have previously worked in these fields, meaning they have an understanding of what makes a good candidate. We also have a team of regional specialists who can provide advice about the job market in particular areas.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Purchasing Specialist for your business or find you a job as a Purchasing Specialist then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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