Buyer

Aqua Cure is seeking a proactive and organised Buyer to support the effective purchasing and supply of products across our growing business.

Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, the Buyer will be responsible for placing and managing purchase orders, maintaining supplier relationships, monitoring stock availability and ensuring accurate purchasing data within our ERP system.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious purchasing professional looking to develop their career within a fast-paced supply chain environment and progress towards a more commercially focused Buyer role.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing

• Raise purchase orders in line with business requirements.
• Monitor supplier order acknowledgements and delivery dates.
• Expedite overdue and urgent orders.
• Resolve supplier delivery issues and shortages.
• Support daily purchasing activities to maintain stock availability.
• Obtain quotations for products and services as required.

Supplier Coordination

• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships.
• Communicate regularly with suppliers regarding deliveries, shortages and forecasts.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed expectations.
• Escalate supply risks and concerns promptly.

Stock & Inventory Management

• Review stock levels and purchasing recommendations generated through the ERP/MRP system.
• Support inventory availability targets.
• Assist in reducing obsolete and excess stock.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and supplier shortages.

Systems & Reporting

• Maintain accurate supplier and purchasing records.
• Update supplier pricing, lead times and purchasing parameters.
• Produce purchasing reports and KPI information as required.
• Ensure purchasing data accuracy within company systems.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with the Demand & Supply Planner to support material availability.
• Liaise with Warehouse, Goods In and Customer Service teams regarding supplier deliveries.
• Support Production planning activities where required.
• Attend daily and weekly supply chain meetings.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes.
• Support ERP and system improvement projects.
• Assist with supplier documentation and compliance requirements.
• Contribute to departmental cost reduction and efficiency initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators

The Buyer will be measured against:

• Supplier on-time delivery performance
• Purchase order accuracy
• Stock availability
• Expedite management
• Supplier response times
• Inventory accuracy
• ERP data accuracy
• Completion of purchasing actions within agreed timescales

Requirements

Experience

• Experience within a purchasing, procurement, supply chain or stock control environment.
• Experience raising and managing purchase orders.
• Experience working with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Experience using ERP or business management systems.

Skills

• Good Microsoft Excel skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and administration skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Good analytical and problem-solving capability.

Personal Attributes

• Reliable and dependable.
• Proactive approach to work.
• Willingness to learn and develop.
• Positive and collaborative attitude.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• CIPS qualification or willingness to study towards CIPS.
• Experience within manufacturing, distribution or supply chain environments.
• Experience using MRP systems.
• Experience analysing stock and purchasing data.
• Understanding of inventory management principles.
• Experience dealing with international suppliers.

Benefits

• 23 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Employee Discount/Perk Platform
• Free onsite parking
• Monday to Friday working pattern
• 24 hours access to Employee Assistance Programme + Volunteering Day + Long Service Awards
• Company Pension Scheme
• Regular Social Events
• Generous Culligan Group Product Discounts