Purchasing Manager to ITAB UK Hemel Hempstead

General Job Description / Key Responsibilities

We are seeking a dynamic, energetic, and motivated Purchasing Manager to join our team, responsible for buying finished goods for shop fit-out and display.

Reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager, you will oversee the team of Buyers and manage their workload.

Key duties include:

• Account management for assigned accounts
• Managing MRP and Purchase Requisitions
• Maintaining ERP systems
• Handling Project and BAU Procurement
• Issuing RFQs
• Managing supplier relationships and performance reviews
• Monitoring KPIs and driving improvements
• Liaising with stakeholders across Design, Sales, Warehouse, and Factory
• Serving as the initial point of contact for team and stakeholder escalations
• Developing, coaching, and mentoring the team

Focus, duties, and responsibilities:

• Implementing group purchasing standards and practices
• Managing BAU and project procurement activities
• Allocating workload and managing team capacity to meet goals and deadlines
• Managing stock of repeat items via MRP
• Overseeing project buying
• Managing inventory at third-party locations, including control and audits
• Managing RFQs using in-house software, delegating, instructing, and reviewing returns
• Conducting kickoff meetings with internal stakeholders as needed
• Negotiating prices and lead times
• Updating ERP systems with codes, supplier data, and price lists
• Handling accounts payable and resolving invoice issues
• Managing supplier relationships through reviews, audits, and visits
• Implementing process improvements aligned with business needs
• Conducting spend analysis and steering procurement towards preferred suppliers
• Defining and implementing procurement workflow strategies

Objectives / Key deliverables:

• Managing the team and departmental duties daily
• Monitoring KPIs and metrics for suppliers and the team
• Raising codes, reviewing MRP, placing orders, and managing P2P processes
• Managing freight and shipping costs within the UK, EU, and FE
• Allocating work between BAU and projects
• Collaborating with Goods In to manage inbound space constraints, delivery timing, and quality issues
• Managing subcontract MO
• Maintaining MRP basic data
• Controlling shorts
• Progress chasing inbound POs

• Relevant experience in purchasing, project management, or manufacturing
• Experience managing a team in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in retail or shopfitting industry preferred
• Strong negotiation and persuasion skills
• Knowledge of warehouse processes and inventory management desirable
• Understanding of production parts and manufacturing processes advantageous

• Strong numeracy and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Word, Excel (including lookups), PowerPoint, Outlook
• Experience with ERP/ MRP systems
• Experience procuring from the Far East is advantageous
• Experience in retail and shopfitting is desirable

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage and work within a small team and with various stakeholders
• Adaptability to fast-moving and expanding operations
• Calm under pressure and mature in approach
• Ability to multitask and re-prioritize effectively
• Self-motivated with initiative and creative problem-solving skills

• Confident and personable
• Flexible working hours to meet business needs