Giavani Bathrooms | North West England
We are looking for an experienced, highly organised and action-oriented Purchasing & Import Coordinator to join our team.
This is not a role for someone who likes to let tasks sit in their inbox.
We are looking for someone who gets things done — someone who will place an order, chase the factory, resolve the issue, arrange the shipping and keep everything moving without needing to be constantly reminded.
You will take ownership of the purchasing process from the point at which supplier pricing has been agreed, through to the goods arriving at our warehouse.
There will be a mixture of UK and international purchasing, with a significant focus on managing orders with our overseas factories and coordinating the import process.
The Role
You will be responsible for managing purchase orders and supplier relationships, ensuring that products are ordered correctly, factories deliver on time and goods are shipped efficiently and cost-effectively.
A key part of the role will be creating and managing mixed-container purchase orders from individual factories. You will need to ensure orders are commercially sensible, accurately entered onto our ERP system and progressed through to shipment.
Once an order is placed, you own it.
That means chasing the factory for the PI, ensuring deposits are processed, monitoring production, pushing for agreed completion dates, arranging freight and making sure the goods are on the quickest and most commercially sensible route to the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Place UK and international purchase orders using an ERP/CRM system.
- Create and manage mixed-container orders from individual overseas factories.
- Ensure purchase orders accurately reflect agreed pricing, quantities and products.
- Obtain supplier Proforma Invoices (PIs) promptly and check them against purchase orders.
- Coordinate with accounts to ensure deposits are processed without unnecessary delay.
- Chase factories regularly for production updates and confirmed ready dates.
- Proactively push suppliers where production or delivery is falling behind schedule.
- Take ownership of outstanding orders and ensure nothing is allowed to drift.
- Arrange international shipping and work closely with freight forwarders.
- Obtain and negotiate competitive freight rates.
- Consider cost, transit time and reliability when selecting shipping options.
- Ensure shipments are booked on an appropriate and timely route.
- Monitor shipments through to arrival in the UK.
- Check PIs against packing lists and identify and resolve discrepancies.
- Ensure quantities, product codes and other key documentation match throughout the purchasing process.
- Raise and properly document claims with factories for shortages, damages, incorrect goods or other discrepancies.
- Maintain accurate records of supplier claims and ensure they are followed through to resolution.
- Ensure supplier credits/debits are correctly allocated against the relevant accounts and purchase orders.
- Work closely with Accounts, Warehouse, Sales and Management to ensure purchasing activity supports the wider business.
- Maintain accurate purchasing and import information within the ERP/CRM system.
About You
We are looking for someone who is proactive, organised and commercially minded, with the confidence and persistence to manage suppliers and keep orders moving.
You will need to be someone who:
- Gets things done quickly and efficiently.
- Doesn't need to be constantly chased to complete their own tasks.
- Is comfortable chasing suppliers and pushing for answers.
- Will pick up the phone when an email isn't getting the job done.
- Takes ownership rather than simply passing problems to someone else.
- Can manage multiple purchase orders and deadlines simultaneously.
- Has excellent attention to detail.
- Is confident working with numbers, pricing and financial information.
- Can spot discrepancies between POs, PIs and packing lists.
- Is comfortable negotiating with suppliers and freight companies.
- Can prioritise effectively when several things need attention at once.
- Is confident using computer systems and Excel.
- Communicates clearly with suppliers, freight companies and internal departments.
- Remains calm and organised when dealing with delays or problems.
The type of person we're looking for
If something needs doing, you do it.
If a factory hasn't sent a PI, you chase it.
If a deposit hasn't been processed, you find out why.
If a factory is late, you push them.
If a shipping quote is too expensive, you negotiate it.
If a packing list doesn't match the PI, you find the problem and get it corrected.
If an order is approaching its deadline, you're already on top of it.
We need someone who naturally works this way rather than someone who waits to be told what needs doing.
Experience
Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, imports, international logistics or supply chain is highly desirable.
Experience dealing directly with overseas suppliers and freight forwarders would be particularly beneficial.
Experience using an ERP or CRM system would be an advantage, as would strong Excel skills.
UK purchasing experience would also be beneficial as the role will involve both UK and international suppliers.
Why Join Giavani?
Giavani Bathrooms is a growing wholesale bathroom supplier supplying products to customers across the UK.
This is an opportunity to join a busy purchasing function where your work has a direct impact on stock availability, supplier performance, freight costs and ultimately the performance of the wider business.
You won't be sitting in a role where every decision has to go through several layers of management. We want someone who can take responsibility, make decisions and get things moving.
Job Type: Full-time
Job Title: Purchasing & Import Coordinator
Location: North West England
Salary: Dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £27,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Colne BB8 9AJ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Work Location: In person
