Buying Manager

Job Purpose

Lead buying activities to ensure the organization sources the right products, materials, or services at the right quality, cost, and time. The Buying Manager develops supplier relationships, manages purchasing decisions and negotiations, monitors market and business needs, and works cross-functionally to support inventory, budget, and operational goals.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Buying Strategy: Develop and implement buying plans that align with business priorities, customer or operational needs, budgets, and product or service requirements.
• Supplier Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, reliability, service, capacity, and compliance requirements.
• Negotiation & Commercial Terms: Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, contract terms, delivery schedules, payment terms, and service levels to achieve value and manage risk.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain productive supplier relationships, review performance, resolve issues, and identify opportunities for improved value and service.
• Purchasing & Order Management: Oversee purchase requests, purchase orders, order confirmations, and delivery follow-up to support timely and accurate procurement.
• Demand & Inventory Planning: Work with relevant teams to assess demand, stock levels, lead times, and replenishment needs, helping to balance availability with inventory and cost objectives.
• Market & Product Analysis: Monitor market trends, supplier capacity, pricing, and product or service developments to inform buying decisions and identify opportunities.
• Budget & Cost Management: Manage buying activity within approved budgets, track spending, analyze cost movements, and identify savings or value improvement opportunities.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure purchasing activity follows company policies, contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and established quality and ethical sourcing standards.
• Risk Management: Assess supply, pricing, delivery, and supplier risks; develop appropriate mitigation plans and escalate material concerns.
• Reporting & Performance Monitoring: Prepare and review buying reports, forecasts, spend analyses, and supplier performance measures to support planning and decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Finance, Operations, Merchandising, Planning, and other stakeholders to align requirements, resolve purchasing issues, and support business objectives.
• Team Leadership: Set priorities, provide guidance, and support the development of buying team members while promoting accountability and consistent procurement practices.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve sourcing, purchasing workflows, supplier management, and the effective use of procurement systems and data.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience in buying, procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or a related commercial function.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating pricing, contracts, or commercial terms.
• Experience analyzing costs, budgets, demand, inventory, or supplier performance.
• Proficiency with procurement or purchasing systems and spreadsheet applications, including Microsoft Excel.
• Experience preparing purchasing reports, forecasts, and other business documentation.
• People management or team leadership experience, or demonstrated ability to guide and develop colleagues.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation, influencing, and supplier relationship management skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance quality, cost, availability, and business requirements.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret purchasing data and assess options.
• Strong planning, organization, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling commercial, supplier, and financial information.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team while building effective working relationships.
• Commitment to ethical procurement, policy compliance, and continuous process improvement.