Purchasing Director/Buying Director

Purchasing Director/Buying Director

Do you want to work for a leader in the FMCG industry? Do you want to be part of an influential leadership team? 

Company:

A leading food and drink supplier in the UK and Europe. The organisation is valued for their structure and work ethic within the FMCG world.

The company provide great support for individuals who go the extra mile.

They operate a good working culture focussing on delivering results and gaining achievement.

The Role: 

• The Purchasing Director will lead the overall performance of the particular Business sectors coordinating activities across all group functions being responsible for a considerable spend.
• This role requires a high standard of general management skills in addition to the functional responsibility of the sector Buying teams.
• The development and control of the particular Business sectors SBA within the Company’s product portfolio
• Achieve overall budgeted profit requirement of the Business Sector
• Play a key role in developing partnership relationships with key suppliers.
• Direct, lead, develop and motivate the sector Buying teams compliantly in accordance with the required management controls and policies.
• Lead the Buying team in activities relating to sourcing and sustainability and management of contract and vendor management.
• The effective planning and co-ordination of all raw material procurement and sector finished products.

Key Criteria of Role:

• The Purchasing Director reports to the Group Purchasing Director and the holder must fully understand the fluctuating market conditions and all key business opportunities and challenges to enable informed decisions to be made.
• The position carries full responsibility for all procurement for a particular category – both raw material and imported finished product purchases as well as profit responsibility to product contribution level across the category business sectors.
• A close and effective working relationship with the Managing Director, and all other Directors within the team is essential.
• Attendance on a half yearly basis of the Group Management Board Meeting (GMBM).
• Responsible for the Buying, category teams at the UK Head Office, with 3 Managers as direct reports and c 10 team members. 
• The position will interact at all levels of management, both inside and outside the Company.  The position requires the job holder to be able to communicate and work with UK, BV and PTM Offices, Sales, Marketing, Production, Technical, HR and Finance.

Key Responsibilities:

• The role job has responsibility for the delivery of budgeted profit across the category. 
• Perform as the leader of the categories business sectors ensuring at all times that each sector is operating effectively, contributing to the Group position and achieving the targets required of it.
• Perform as the leader of the team in all aspects of the Buying function with overarching responsibility for sector performance, its development and group profitability balanced across purchases and supply from third party partners and suppliers.
• Play a key leadership role in the positive and long term development of partnership relationships with key suppliers.
• Combine strategic and operational elements into the role.
• Create and deliver long-range purchasing plans and strategies including risk assessment of suppliers.
• Identify and achieve cost reductions through the application of best purchasing practice and techniques
• To work with the other Directors to maximise the profitability of the category across the Group in accordance with the growth strategies for each entity.
• To manage the allocation of raw material to ensure profit and sustainability criteria are maximised.
• Professionally resolve problems both internally and externally in a fair and ethical manner while protecting the long-term interests of the Company.
• Support fully the efforts of other departments in achieving their objectives and those of the overall sector.
• Fully understand the production processes and product formulations with particular attention to product specific requirements.
• Develop knowledge of the key personnel at each major supplier, their production processes and internal systems to strive for lowest possible overall cost.
• Understand and interpret all of the rules governing the import and export of the relevant goods under the EU legislative and duty regimes.
• Accountable for the planning, organising, training, co-ordination and leadership of the sectors, supported by Buying Managers / Buyers / Buying Execs for the purchase of finished goods.
• The role will assist in seeking, recruiting and training replacement purchasing personnel as required.
• Special tasks may be assigned to the Purchasing Director such as, acting as project leader or project manager on any new product development plans or new initiatives.
• Recommend and initiate appropriate actions in areas of responsibility to meet Company targets across all contributing functions. 
• Develop the capability, competence and effectiveness of the Buying management team
• Facilitate a culture of high standards, team work and learning, with clear accountabilities and ownership.
• Demonstrating effective leadership and communication. 

Your Skills & Experience:

• A track record of operating at a senior level within an FMCG business with the ability to lead across different functional teams
• Self-motivated with a desire to succeed as a key business leader.
• Integrity needed when representing the business internally and externally.
• Strong commercial background and understanding with experience in delivering cost efficient solutions to high value negotiations.
• Are you a strong, influential leader? The job holder will take a high profile and pro-active role across the Group.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• The position requires a high degree of maturity, being conscientious and ethical to ensure control and the proper expenditure of company funds.  
• Keep constantly up-to-date about economic conditions and/or business/market conditions as they affect the products we purchase.  This knowledge is necessary to make informed decisions to adequately meet changing conditions.  
• The individual must be resourceful and protect the Company’s interests by understanding what needs to be done and taking the required action to protect all aspects the business sector
• Qualifications: Degree educated in a complementary field.
• Competencies: Leadership, Planning & Organising, Managing Teams, Communication & Influencing, Business Awareness. 

If you are interested apply now for your application to be reviewed. Interviews will commence in July.