Job Title: Purchasing Manager 
                             
Reporting to: Managing Director/Operations Manager
                             
Location: Harrogate       

Job Summary:

We are seeking a detail-oriented Purchasing Manager. This role will support daily operations using Business Central to streamline workflows and ensure accurate data management. You need to be customer focused and date driven, ensuring all stocked product lines have sufficient stock levels to meet demand, whilst reacting to demand for back to back lines.  All of this to be done in line with the Customers’ requirements. To seek every opportunity to optimize sales, margin and inventory performance. 

Key Result Areas & Responsibilities:

Stock Management and Procurement

•    Produce intake schedules and ensure accurate use of reporting of stock movement
•    Maintain stocked items to agreed levels to ensure that no sales are lost through being ‘out of stock’
•    Place back to back orders for special order items ensuring they meet project timelines and liaise with Customer Service team accordingly
•    Ensure weekly communication tools are used to advise Sales and Customer Service teams of delivery schedules.
•    Actively chase and communicate the status of purchase orders with suppliers against lead times, communicating this on the system, but most importantly to the customer service team if customer orders will be impacted. To offer solutions if a delay arises.
•    Act as a point of contact for all sales channels to ensure best use of stock throughout the business.
•    Maintain accurate supplier records including terms and contracts
•    Ensure intake is delivered in line with agreed WSSI/MSSI plans to maintain optimum company stock levels
•    Analysis of sell through by location and channel to ensure optimum product and line mix is achieved.
•    Liaising with Sales teas on product availability.
•    Once established in role make recommendations to the Managing Director regarding actions required to balance stocks, maintain margins and sales initiatives required

Merchandise Administration

•    In a timely, speedy and accurate manner ensure new SKUs are created to support the quotation process for the Sales team as well as provide a smooth transition from new product selection to introduction.
•    Communicating to the business when SKUs/Ranges are discontinued and running down stocks, if applicable. 
•    Update all supplier databases ensuring that prices, technical information, sizes, images and contact details are regularly reviewed and updated.
•    Ensure all documentation is completed in order for products to be delivered according to specified delivery dates.
•    Check and approve all delivery notes against purchase orders and receipting of stock within the system.
•    To deal with any inbound damages, working with suppliers to obtain credits/replacements, whilst ensuring any shortages for customers are carried out in a speedy manner and the customer service team are fully aware.
•    To manage sample requests from suppliers ensuring the warehouse is aware of their arrival and they are delivered to the correct recipient.
•    Advise the Finance Department of all pro-forma payments required to ensure timely delivery of products.
•    Feedback to suppliers any quality control issues and ensure that credit notes are raised when appropriate.
•    Ensure all outstanding commitment is reviewed and accurately reported, cancelling balances when appropriate

Reporting

•    To build an effective suite of reports to manage stock efficiently and act as a central coordinator for this activity.
•    To proactively manage the reporting tools to manage the company inventory

Responsibilities

•    Work closely with logistics/distribution teams to manage stock mix and inventory during peak trade periods 
•    Delivery of business KPIs.
•    Managing relationships with third party partners ensuring product ranges are maximised, reviewed and refreshed on a seasonal basis if required
•    Coordinating stock requirements for all marketing initiatives and new collection launches

Key competencies and values:

•    Self-Starter
•    Presentation  and communication skills are essential
•    Delivery of both internal and external customers to the highest of standards
•    To work closely and collaboratively with the operations and sales teams to ensure a strong team spirit is constantly reinforced
•    Ability to work closely with colleagues across all locations 

Key qualities 

Positive with a can do attitude
Sense of Urgency
Honesty 
Numeracy
Integrity
Professionalism
Team player
Sense of humour
Sensitive to the intricacies of a small business, with a hands on approach
To act as a professional Brand Ambassador at all times