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 Southport
If you’re scouring maps of Devon, Dorset or Sussex searching for Southport, stop now. It’s most definitely in the northern half of England, about halfway between Liverpool and Blackpool. Like the famous towered resort, it’s a tourist town, with miles of beach and the usual seaside attractions like boating lakes, a pier, a promenade and a famous model village. However it has close links with the city to its south, not least because both are in Merseyside.
The town grew up during the Victorian period as a fashionable spa town, and much of the architecture remains on the front. As workers’ holidays got a foothold, the town, with its good rail links, became a popular destination for the workers of places such as Liverpool, Preston, Wigan and Bolton to spend a week or a weekend in summer. With little of a manufacturing base, the town’s existence was threatened in the 60s and 70s as tourists got the option of flying to Spain or Greece instead of staying in Britain, but it managed to survive where others failed by focusing on short breaks and holding events such as air shows, flower shows and festivals.
Southport is best known in the area as having a large population of affluent people. It’s a favourite home of Liverpool and Everton footballers, as well as other celebrities, particularly those from the North West. There’s a thriving night life, with a wealth of bars, restaurants and clubs. Although it is not a traditional industrial town, sometimes Purchasing Specialist positions do come up in the Southport area. Tourist towns do require a good deal of movement of goods to service both the local population and the visitors. There are frequently building and civil engineering projects in the region, too.
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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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