Procurement & Inventory Lead

Procurement \& Inventory Lead

Location: East Lancashire
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full\-time, Permanent

Build and lead the purchasing \& inventory function of a growing UK technology business

We're a growing technology business specialising in the design, installation and support of specialist equipment for commercial vehicle fleets throughout the UK.

We're now looking for an experienced Procurement \& Inventory Lead to take ownership of our purchasing, supplier management and inventory function.

This is a hands\-on role for someone who doesn't simply want to process purchase orders and count stock. We want someone who can look at how we currently operate, identify what's not working, introduce better processes and build a purchasing and inventory function that can support the next stage of our growth.

You'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the business, with considerable autonomy and the scope to develop the role into an Inventory \& Purchasing Manager position as the function grows.

The Role

You'll take responsibility for ensuring we have the right products and components, in the right quantities, at the right time and at the right commercial cost.

Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Sales and Finance, you'll manage day\-to\-day purchasing while also developing the systems, processes and supplier relationships needed to improve stock availability, reduce costs and strengthen our supply chain.

This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems and improving the way a business operates.

Your Responsibilities

Procurement \& Supplier Management

• Take ownership of purchasing across equipment, components and consumables.


• Manage purchase orders from requirement through to delivery.


• Source new products and suppliers where required.


• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms and other commercial arrangements.


• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.


• Establish supplier agreements and commercial arrangements that deliver long\-term value.


• Identify alternative and backup suppliers to reduce supply chain risk.


• Monitor supplier performance, quality, pricing and delivery.


• Challenge suppliers and purchasing decisions where better value or service can be achieved.

• Take ownership of inventory accuracy across warehouse and van stock locations.


• Establish appropriate minimum, maximum and reorder stock levels.


• Monitor stock usage and ensure appropriate availability for planned work.


• Balance stock availability against cash tied up in inventory.


• Identify and manage slow\-moving, surplus and obsolete stock.


• Support the management of engineer\-held stock where applicable.


• Introduce effective stock control procedures and standards.

• Forecast future purchasing requirements using historical usage, sales forecasts and planned projects.


• Work closely with Sales and Operations to understand upcoming requirements.


• Plan purchasing around installation schedules and customer commitments.


• Identify potential shortages before they become operational problems.


• Develop a more proactive approach to demand planning as the business grows.

• Establish and manage regular cycle counting and stock audit processes.


• Investigate and resolve stock discrepancies.


• Improve and maintain high levels of stock accuracy.


• Develop meaningful KPIs covering inventory and purchasing performance.

This is a key part of the role.

You'll be expected to review how purchasing, stock control and inventory currently operate and identify opportunities to improve them.

You'll have the freedom to:

• Introduce purchasing and inventory best practice.


• Develop and document standard operating procedures.


• Improve stock control and purchasing processes.


• Improve reporting and management information.


• Identify opportunities to reduce waste and purchasing costs.


• Improve systems and controls.


• Introduce processes that can scale as the business grows.


• Work with colleagues across the business to make improvements stick.

You'll provide management with clear, useful information covering areas such as:

• Inventory value


• Purchasing spend


• Supplier performance


• Stock accuracy


• Stock availability


• Inventory turnover


• Slow\-moving and obsolete stock


• Forecast requirements


• Stock shortages


• Purchasing trends and opportunities for savings

About You

We're looking for someone who enjoys taking ownership and making things better.

You may currently be working in purchasing, procurement, inventory, supply chain or stock management and be ready for your next step.

Alternatively, you may already be operating at a senior level and be looking for an opportunity where you can have more influence and genuinely shape the function.

You should be commercially minded, analytical and highly organised, with the confidence to challenge existing processes and suppliers when appropriate.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who sees a problem and thinks "how can we fix this?"

Essential Experience

• Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory, stock control or supply chain.


• Good understanding of stock planning, forecasting and inventory optimisation.


• Experience managing and negotiating with suppliers.


• Experience sourcing products and developing supplier relationships.


• Experience with stock audits and cycle counting.


• Strong analytical and problem\-solving skills.


• Excellent organisation and planning.


• High attention to detail.


• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.


• Experience with ERP, MRP or inventory management systems.


• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across different departments.

• Experience in engineering, electronics, automotive, manufacturing or another technical environment.


• Experience with Lean or continuous improvement methodologies.


• CIPS qualification or working towards one.


• Experience implementing new purchasing, inventory or stock control processes.


• Experience managing or mentoring others.

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.


• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.


• Company pension.


• Ongoing training and professional development.


• A supportive and collaborative working environment.


• Genuine autonomy and the opportunity to make a visible difference.


• The opportunity to build and develop the purchasing and inventory function.


• Genuine career progression into an Inventory \& Purchasing Manager role.

This isn't a role where you'll simply inherit a purchasing spreadsheet and be expected to keep it up to date.

We're looking for someone who can take ownership, introduce structure, improve the way we operate and help build the foundations for the next stage of the company's growth.

If you're an experienced purchasing, procurement or inventory professional looking for a role where your ideas will actually be listened to and implemented, we'd like to hear from you.

Pay: £30,000\.00\-£38,000\.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave


• Casual dress


• Company pension


• Free parking


• On\-site parking


• Referral programme

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