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 Wallasey
After years of sailing the seven seas and bringing back cargoes and unlikely tales, the upper ranks of the merchant and military navies wanted somewhere pleasant to live, and if they weren’t fed up of the sea, one such place might have been Wallasey. The town at the northern tip of the Wirral, opposite Liverpool, sprung up for just this reason, and it was full of large homes for such seamen to retire to. The town had a small presence already in the shape of a fort and lighthouse, both to protect the port, but it was barely inhabited. New Brighton, the most resort-like part, was named after Brighton on the south coast, and it was hoped that it would emulate its success.
Wallasey’s population of around 60,000 is well connected by road, rail and sea. The M53 to Chester starts in the town and the Kingsway tunnel (known locally as the Wallasey Tunnel) picks up at the same point. By rail Wallasey is linked to Liverpool, the Wirral, North Wales and Chester, and the Mersey Ferry crosses from Wallasey’s Seacombe terminal (as well as Birkenhead). Birkenhead and Wallasey would now probably be completely merged were it not for the dock that stretches 2600 metres inland.
Wallasey is now an integral part of the Liverpool and Birkenhead conurbation, and it is no longer a retreat for retired seamen, with most of their houses being converted into bed and breakfasts or flats long ago. The town’s economy is now linked with those of its neighbouring towns and Liverpool, and that is not bad news for anyone looking for Purchasing Specialist work, as the region still has plenty of manufacturing and distribution industry.
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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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