Buyer

JOB TITLE: Buyer

DEPARTMENT: Purchasing

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Procurement of Products and Services

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To ensure the service level to our customers is maximized through a combination of efficient purchasing, at the best possible price.
• Develop supplier relationships for a given product set: ensure suppliers always provide information related to deals and promotions and use this information to negotiate better deals. This relationship can be supported by regular meetings where necessary
• To negotiate at any opportunity, to maximise margins, ensuring best price
• Liaise with sales teams to communicate any issues arising with their orders
• Clear and concise interaction with all company departments; notably the sales department, distribution centre, inventory and accounts payable.
• Ensure purchase orders are loaded correctly to enable seamless payment of invoices
• Understand the purchasing processes for a variety of product types and manufacturers as required.
• Consistently review work practices in search of efficiency improvements.
• Identify issues as part of the day to day workflows and use skills and experience to resolve supplier issues. First point of escalation.
• Raise POs as required within the defined Purchasing SLA with a limited degree of supervision
• Ensure all changes to purchase orders are recorded on the system
• Liaise with warehouse to ensure any issues can be resolved in a timely fashion
• Provide cover for other members of the department as necessary and perform other tasks if requested from time to time by the Category Manager
• Support less experienced members of the team in the education of best practices and purchasing processes.
• Understand how Purchasing function supports other departments and overall business objectives.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience of working in a procurement role, ideally within IT (Understanding of core CDW vendors, beneficial)
• Experienced in dealing with suppliers and contractors, and negotiations to ensure best cost and quality
• Excellent numeracy skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure
• Highly motivated with ability to work under own initiative, making decisions to benefit the business
• Demonstrated attention to detail, time management and organizational skill
• Microsoft Office skills, preferably including: Excel and Word but not essential

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Professionalism
• Honest and hardworking
• Self-Motivated and proactive
• Excellent attention to detail
• Proven record of reliability, responsibility and work ethic
• Excellent organisational skills
• Good interpersonal skills - ability to liaise with personnel at all levels and adapt style accordingly
• Capable of multi tasking, efficiently managing time and resources
• Ability to work to challenging deadlines
• Have a desire for continuous development and improvement
• A receptive, approachable individual who can provide and receive feedback in an effective, impartial manner
• Willing to go the extra mile to ensure requirements are met and practices are followed
• Able to identify, communicate and resolve issues that may cause risk to others or the company
• Flexibility with working hours
• Passionate about making positive changes and improving efficiencies
• Must have an excellent command of the English language with strong written and verbal communication skills