Buyer

KEY ROLES

1.                  To manage the purchasing of all raw materials ,packaging materials and labels for fermentation and blending areas.

2.                  Make decisions around supply chain management: fewer larger volume purchases versus small volume , more frequent purchases and the benefits of each approach.

3.                  To devise efficient tools using  Excel tables to aid procurement activities.

4.                  To work closely with line manager, customer services , fermentation,  blending/ packing and QA/QC  functions to ensure adequate stocks of raw materials are maintained.

5.                  Work closely with Finance team on all invoicing matters.

6.                  Work closely with Planning, Production Managers, Technical , Customer Services ,  QA and  External UK Sales functions on all matters relating to specifications for raw materials and packaging.

7.                  Set minimum stock levels and generate  minimum stock level reports and assess purchasing requirements using usage and forecast data.

8.                  Review non-moving / slow moving stock volumes and value. Report upon findings.

9.                  Attend  meetings with customer services, purchasing, fermentation ,packing functions to review and share details of raw material stock levels  and key priorities.

10.              To set up and maintain supplier contracts and negotiate pricing based upon historic and forecast data.

11.              To be involved with New Production Development activities to source / recommended suppliers and suitable packaging.

12.              Participate in continual improvement activities to rationalise packaging types with cost reduction / securing supply chain being the focus.

13.              Liaise with other buyers within the  group of UK companies to explore opportunities to leverage group buying potential for certain raw materials.

14.              To visit various packaging trade shows and assessing improvement opportunities.

15.              Generate reports from core data to assist in trend analyses, cost saving decisions and efficiencies when requested.

16.              Attend various training courses organised by the Company.  

17.         Compliance with company health, safety, environmental and quality systems.

18.              To fulfil other duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably required within the role.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

1.      Several years’ experience in a purchasing role ideally within brewing , fermentation , chemical, food blending , pharma type sectors to ISO9001/BRC / FAMIqs / cGMP/ HACCP or equivalent quality standards. Other manufacturing sectors will be considered.

2.      Overall business / finance awareness and implications of cost changes to business profitability.

3.      Familiarity with both  primary packaging ( foil sachets , plastic and paper based bags ) and external box packaging procurement.

4.      Extensive experience of supplier contract negotiation and pricing.

5.      Sound financial skills/ knowledge wrt  material costs and associated invoicing.

6.      Sound Excel skills for data handling and trend analyses.

7.      Concise report writing when required.

8.      Demonstratable experience of packaging simplification and costs savings

9.      Exceptional team player.

10.  Self starting , pro-active , creative outlook, eager to add value to the role

11.  Sound Excel skills.

12.  Working knowledge of ERP systems.

13.  Some kind of  higher level qualification in a scientific subject is desirable.

14.  Qualification in a recognised purchasing qualification i.e. CIPS