Strategic Buyer jobs
Forward planning in procurement is hugely important, not least because there are so many factors that change as time goes by that are difficult to gauge with precision. Fluctuations in exchange rates and changes in import or export duties can affect companies, for example; or unusual weather patterns can scupper the best laid plans. There are other elements that are more predictable, however. Seasonal changes in supply certainly affect industries such as food and horticulture; and changes in demand, such as those created by summer holidays or Christmas are relatively more straightforward.
The strategic buyer will be in charge of creating a procurement profile over the long term, taking into account the known or expected changes but also allowing for variations that cannot be accurately predicted. Whether this will involve contingency planning or coming up with particular guarantees from suppliers will depend on the raw materials or other products being supplied, but the strategic buyer, looking at the big picture, should be able to maintain supply to his or her company unless something off the scale happens.
The strategic buyer could have a team of planners to help gather data, and there will necessarily be a good deal of contact with the suppliers to ensure supply through negotiation and contracting. As well as maintaining supply, the task will still be to keep costs to a minimum, just like any procurement role; however when long-term interests supersede short-terms ones, management will usually be wise to listen to the strategist.
The skills required
Excellent planning and analysis abilities will be the mainstay of the strategic buyer. This is a role aimed at minimising shocks to the company’s system caused by unexpected lack of supply or price hikes. A thorough understanding of the sector in which the position is vacant, including the seasonality of its suppliers, will be essential for this role. A very good grasp of risk management and an ability to gauge when potential risk is too great to overlook will also be required.
Meeting with suppliers and potential suppliers and negotiating deals will be a big part of the job, so excellent communication and interpersonal skills will be required, as well as an ability to be persuasive when driving a bargain that is best for the client. Experience in procurement at a high level will be useful.
Strategic Buyer Jobs in Lisburn
Lisburn is a city whose centre is 7.5 miles (12 km) south west of the centre of Belfast. It is Northern Ireland’s newest city, gaining city status in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The city is historically noted for its links with the linen industry, and now has a museum dedicated to the craft. To Lisburn’s north west are the banks of Lough Neagh, which at 151 square miles (392 sq km) is the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles by surface area (Lake Windermere, England’s largest, is only about 5.5 square miles in area!). The city is connected to Belfast by the M1 motorway. It is also on the railway line from Belfast to Dublin, and trains can be taken from the city centre to both capitals.
Although the population of Lisburn is roughly 70,000, it is part of The Dublin-Belfast Corridor, which is home to 3 million people. The population of the whole of Northern Ireland is just under 2 million. Close to three quarters of a million people live in the Belfast area, which means that about a third of the population is concentrated in this small area on the country’s east. The city’s population is growing steadily, and indeed the local government is attempting to boost Lisburn’s population with a set of schemes it is putting in place.
With its growing population and excellent links to Belfast and Dublin, Strategic Buyer positions do come up in Lisburn or its neighbouring areas relatively frequently. Northern Ireland as a whole has seen more prosperity over the past decade or so, and it’s now considered a good place to invest, which can only be good news for the logistics, supply chain and procurement industries.
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Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Whatever the season, Cast UK have jobs all over the UK, so we’re best placed to find you work in logistics, procurement or supply chain wherever you are. 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 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.
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 Strategic Buyer for your business or find you a job as a Strategic Buyer then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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