Head of Group Purchasing

Head of Group Purchasing

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum (subject to experience)

Package: Car Allowance + Benefits
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Job Description

As Head of Group Purchasing you will be responsible for the various procurement processes which are an integral part of the delivery side of the business, across all departments.

In this role you will be responsible to the Chief Commercial Officer

Key Responsibilities

This will include, but not be limited to, the following duties:

• Purchase goods, materials and services to ensure the company operational needs are met, taking into account price, quality and delivery and to ensure continuity of supply.
• Manage the performance of the Buyer, delegate tasks and provide guidance and training.
• Reporting to group board on changes and updates on all aspects of group purchasing.
• Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships and ensure good communications.
• Working closely with the pre-construction team on tender information and value engineering.
• Assess and evaluate suppliers and undertake performance reviews to ensure contract compliance and manage performance improvement activities.
• Support product change requests and review the impact on capacity plans.
• Stay current and up to date on any changes that may affect the supply or demand of needed products and materials and advise others of the impact.
• Attend meetings and update others on concerns, in particular when there is a risk which could prevent the organisation meeting programmes.
• Receiving requisitions from group companies.
• Sending out enquiry packages for building and civil engineering materials.
• Quotation evaluation.
• Placing orders for group companies, including liaising with site teams to programme deliveries and expedite orders. This will include maintaining order logs (Excel documents).
• Invoice checking, including resolving queries.
• Maintaining various spreadsheets (Excel documents), which record cost comparisons and set out site order information.

Continuous Improvement

You will contribute to the overall running and continuous improvement of the business, along with development of the Procurement Department, by ensuring that the highest professional standards are maintained to continually improve the service given to clients. This includes:

• Identifying problems and offering solutions.
• Ensuring company procedures are followed as they relate to the Procurement Department, and offering suggestions as to their development and improvement.
• Encouraging and developing teamwork both within your team and between teams, internally and externally.
• Having an excellent understanding of internal management systems and compliance procedures.

General Requirements

You will be expected to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality at all times regarding the company and its clients. You must also work efficiently and safely at all times in accordance with appropriate training, company safety policies and HSE guidelines.

Your ability to relate well with clients and staff and to maintain high professional standards is very important, alongside your ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner both in writing and verbally. In doing so you must also ensure an appropriate standard of dress and personal appearance is maintained at all times.

You should demonstrate and use initiative to carry out work with minimal supervision, including the skills to prioritise and work to strict deadlines whilst being thorough and paying close attention to detail. This will be reinforced by demonstrating an enthusiastic, flexible and conscientious approach to work.

Once inducted, you should demonstrate a clear understanding of the company's structure, values and procedures. In relation to this, you must advise your line manager immediately of any visits to site by external agencies such as the Health & Safety Executive, Environmental Health Officers, etc.

The main duties listed above are not intended to be exhaustive and may be revised in accordance with the requirements of the department and the company.

Person Specification

Experience / Skills

Essential

• Basic knowledge of Excel.
• Ability to extract relevant information from site teams to produce accurate enquiries (a questioning attitude may be required).
• Experience with Outlook is essential (rapid processing of emailed enquiries and other correspondence is required).
• Good analytical and numerical skills.
• Attention to detail to minimise errors.
• Common sense approach to keep a tight rein on spend.

Desirable

• Previous experience within the construction industry.

Knowledge and Other Relevant Factors

Essential

• Multiple product category knowledge.
• Ideally educated to degree level and preferably within a relevant subject area.
• Able to demonstrate a high degree of computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable

• Professional procurement qualifications would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Car Allowance
• Company Benefits Package
• Pension Scheme
• Annual Leave Entitlement
• Ongoing Training and Development
• Career Progression Opportunities

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced purchasing professional to join a well-established construction business and take responsibility for group-wide procurement activities, supplier management and purchasing strategy across multiple projects and departments.