Outline
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Buyer to join our Purchasing team, with responsibility for sourcing products and suppliers from international markets.
The role will have a strong commercial focus, identifying and developing new supply opportunities, negotiating competitive pricing and commercial terms, and ensuring the business has a robust and cost-effective international supply base.
Working closely with Product Management, Marketing, Quality and Operations, the successful candidate will support new product development and existing product cost reduction by identifying suitable manufacturers, obtaining and evaluating quotations, negotiating with suppliers and managing sourcing projects through to successful implementation.
The role will require a commercially minded individual who is confident dealing directly with overseas manufacturers and capable of balancing cost, quality, service, lead time and supply risk when making sourcing decisions.
Duties will include:
- Sourcing new products, manufacturers and supply opportunities from international markets.
- Identifying, evaluating and developing new suppliers to support new product launches and alternative sourcing strategies.
- Managing RFQ and tender exercises, obtaining competitive quotations and conducting detailed commercial comparisons.
- Negotiating pricing, payment terms, MOQs, lead times and other commercial terms with suppliers.
- Driving cost reduction initiatives across existing product ranges through negotiation, benchmarking and alternative sourcing.
- Working closely with Product Management and Marketing to source products against agreed specifications, target costs and launch timescales.
- Conducting supplier and market research to identify new manufacturing capabilities, products and sourcing regions.
- Benchmarking existing suppliers and products against alternative sources to ensure continued competitiveness.
- Supporting supplier selection and qualification alongside Quality and Technical teams.
- Developing strong relationships with key international suppliers and identifying opportunities for further commercial development.
- Monitoring commodity, freight, currency and other market factors that may affect purchase costs and sourcing decisions.
- Evaluating total landed cost when comparing international sourcing options.
- Supporting supplier performance reviews covering cost, quality, service and delivery.
- Attending supplier meetings, exhibitions and trade shows where required and visiting overseas suppliers when appropriate.
- Supporting the Purchasing team with import and supply-chain activities associated with successfully sourced products.
Applicants should have:
- Previous experience in a Buying, Purchasing or Sourcing role.
- Experience of sourcing products internationally, ideally directly from manufacturers.
- Strong commercial awareness with demonstrable negotiation skills.
- Experience of supplier identification, RFQs, quotation analysis and commercial negotiations.
- A good understanding of landed cost and the commercial considerations involved in international sourcing.
- The ability to analyse competing quotations and make commercially sound sourcing recommendations.
- Strong communication and supplier relationship management skills.
- A proactive approach to identifying cost-saving and alternative sourcing opportunities.
- Good organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously.
- A good level of computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Excel.
- Knowledge of international freight, Incoterms and import processes would be advantageous.
- The ability and willingness to travel internationally when required.
- A proactive approach to problem solving and the confidence to challenge suppliers and escalate issues when necessary.
- An enthusiastic, professional and dependable manner.
Product and system training will be provided.
Progression within the organisation is anticipated and encouraged.
What we offer
- 33 holidays a year (Bank Holidays included, but up to you when you take them!)
- Flexible working hours with early finish Friday available
- Free Parking
- Discretionary paid sickness, family leave and appointments*
- Branded casual clothing provided free of charge.
- Discounted Health Plan
- On-site subsidised Bistro
- Staff member discounts on our products
*After probationary period and if standards of attendance are reached
This role is fully office based in Rochdale.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £33,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Canteen
- Casual dress
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Rochdale OL16 1AW: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Copywriting: 1 year (preferred)
- Image and Video Editing: 1 year (preferred)
- Instragram and Tik Tok: 1 year (preferred)
- Social Media Platforms: 1 year (required)
- Canva & Adobe Suite: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
