Purchasing Director

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a Purchasing Director to lead our procurement strategy and drive commercial success in this high-impact role.  You will be both a commercially strategic and people-centric leader to the purchasing team, be able to build strong supplier relationships and procurement processes to maximise sales and profit opportunities ultimately contributing to sustainable business growth and increasing overall turnover whilst supporting independent retailers. Developing and implementing purchasing strategies, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and monitoring inventory levels are critical success factors. This role also involves leading and developing a team of purchasing professionals, collaborating with other departments, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Reporting to the CEO - Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing purchasing strategies to align with organisational goals, optimise costs, and ensure quality and timely delivery of goods. 

• Supplier Management: Identifying, evaluating, and managing relationships with key suppliers, negotiating contracts, and monitoring their performance. 

• Cost Management: Monitoring and analysing purchasing trends, forecasting future needs, and managing the purchasing budget to ensure cost-effectiveness. 

• Compliance: Ensuring compliance with all relevant procurement policies, procedures, and regulations. 

• Team Leadership: Leading and developing a team of purchasing professionals, providing guidance, and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability. 

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborating with other departments, such as finance, operations, and marketing, to understand their needs and ensure alignment with procurement strategies. 

• Market Research: Staying updated on industry trends, market conditions, and new technologies to identify potential opportunities and risks. 

• Process Improvement: Evaluating and improving existing procurement processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. 

• Reporting and Analysis: Preparing reports and analyses for senior management on purchasing activities, performance, and cost savings. 

THE EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS YOU WILL HAVE

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in a related discipline.

Experience:

• 8-10 years’ experience in senior level roles within purchasing environment where you have gained a deep understanding of purchasing and commercial strategy
• Experience in the consumer electronics and appliances industry preferred
• Strong negotiation skills
• Experience in contract management
• Relationship management
• Financial acumen and analytical skills
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement processes and supply chain management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Skills Required:

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement processes and supply chain management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

BENEFITS

This role can be based in Andover or Tankersley. Benefits include a competitive package commensurate with experience, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays pro-rata, life assurance and pension scheme. Hybrid working with flexible working week. Please reach out to me [email protected] for full job description and to answer any questions you may have or click on apply.

WHO WE ARE

Combined Independents (Holdings) Limited (CIH) is a not for profit buying group which is owned and governed by our membership (~450 independent high street electrical retail specialists based throughout the UK with over 600 outlets) and in 2023 celebrated our 60th year. 

In many cases, our membership are family run businesses, some of which have been established for several generations, and part of many local communities and high streets that come together as part of a buying group. All of our CIH membership have the opportunity to be a part of our network of “Euronics Agents” and as such can operate by utilising the brand name Euronics, as well as trading to the public through www.euronics.co.uk. 

CIH owns two purpose-built distribution centres, one in Tankersley to service the north and one in Andover to service the south, working closely with a dedicated warehouse and distribution partner at each centre. All of our colleagues are employed through CIH and are made up of experts in finance, HR, IT, logistics, ecommerce, marketing, and purchasing.