Purchasing & Logistics Coordinator
Location: Unit 2, Oakwood Trading Estate, Mode Wheel Road, Salford, M5 5DQ
Company: Crystal Mailing
Employment Type: Full-Time / Permanent
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm
About the Role
Crystal Mailing is looking for an organised and commercially minded Purchasing & Logistics Coordinator to support our purchasing, stock management and logistics operations.
This is a varied role requiring someone who is confident working with suppliers, comparing costs, monitoring stock requirements and coordinating deliveries and haulage.
We are looking for someone who can think independently and make commercially sensible decisions, and negotiate for better delivery dates offered by a supplier.
The successful candidate will work closely with our purchasing, warehouse, sales and operations teams to ensure stock is purchased at the right price, delivered when required and efficiently distributed to our customers.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier Sourcing & Price Comparison
- Obtain and compare quotations from suppliers based on price, lead time, product quality, availability and overall value.
- Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs and improve purchasing efficiency.
- Maintain accurate supplier pricing and purchasing information.
- Communicate and negotiate with suppliers regarding pricing, quantities, availability and delivery schedules.
- Challenge supplier quotations or proposed delivery dates where a better commercial outcome may be achievable.
Purchasing & Stock Management
- Regularly monitor stock levels and communicate purchasing requirements to the company buyer.
- Help identify products that need replenishing before stock reaches critical levels.
- Support the purchasing of both UK/local stock and imported stock.
- Keep track of expected incoming deliveries and communicate relevant information internally.
- Assist with purchasing decisions based on stock levels, sales requirements, supplier lead times and cost.
Incoming Stock & Delivery Checks
- Check incoming local and imported stock deliveries against purchase orders and expected quantities.
- Work with the warehouse team to confirm that the physical quantity received matches the quantity ordered.
- Identify and investigate shortages, discrepancies or incorrect deliveries.
- Liaise with suppliers where discrepancies need to be resolved.
- Maintain clear records of incoming stock and any outstanding quantities.
Haulage & Transport Coordination
- Arrange haulage collections and deliveries according to customer requirements.
- Communicate with customers, hauliers and internal departments to coordinate suitable collection and delivery dates.
- Where possible, consolidate deliveries to reduce transport costs and avoid sending partially utilised loads.
- Keep relevant departments informed of confirmed collection and delivery arrangements.
- Respond to changes, delays or additional collection requirements and find practical solutions.
Commercial Decision-Making & Negotiation
A key part of this position is being able to make decisions rather than simply process requests.
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Consider whether an order should be placed immediately or whether there is an advantage in changing the quantity or timing.
- Assess whether proposed supplier lead times are acceptable for the company's stock requirements.
- Negotiate delivery dates where necessary.
- Escalate important issues when required.
Internal Communication & Handovers
- Work closely with purchasing, warehouse, sales, customer service and management.
- Maintain clear records so that other members of the team can understand the status of orders, deliveries and collections.
- Create and maintain step-by-step guides and procedures for key responsibilities.
- Prepare detailed handovers before annual leave or other planned absences.
- Ensure important tasks, outstanding orders and expected deliveries can continue to be managed effectively during periods of absence.
Skills & Experience Required
We are looking for someone with:
- Strong numerical and analytical skills, particularly when comparing supplier prices and quantities.
- Good commercial awareness and an understanding of the importance of purchasing at the right price.
- Strong negotiation skills and confidence communicating with suppliers.
- Good decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
- Confidence working with stock quantities, purchase orders and delivery information.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple orders, suppliers and deliveries simultaneously.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.
- Good Microsoft Excel or spreadsheet skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively across different departments.
- A proactive approach to identifying potential stock or delivery problems before they become urgent.
Experience in purchasing, procurement, logistics, stock control, supply chain, haulage coordination or warehouse operations would be advantageous.
Pay: £27,000.00-£28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Transport links
Application question(s):
- Please include a short note explaining why this role interests you and provide one specific example of a time when you improved a purchasing, stock, delivery or administrative process.
Please briefly explain the situation, what action you personally took, and the outcome.
Work Location: In person
