Purchasing Assistant Manager

Overview

Job Overview: The Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing the procurement process for the company, ensuring that goods and services are purchased at the best possible price, in the right quantity, and at the right time. The role involves managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and overseeing inventory control to support operational efficiency and cost-effective strategies.

• Develop and implement purchasing strategies that align with company goals and operational needs.
• Analyse market trends to stay updated on pricing, availability, and new suppliers.
• Establish and maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.
• Evaluate supplier performance regularly to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Oversee the day-to-day purchasing activities, ensuring efficient operations and timely procurement.
• Manage purchase orders and contracts.
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure product availability.
• Conduct cost analyses to identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Supply Management, CIPS) are a plus.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in purchasing or procurement role.
• Experience in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, etc.).
• In-depth understanding of inventory management and supply chain processes.

• Full-time, with some flexibility in hours.
• Supplier visits, trade shows including overnight stays will be required.

Who are we?
Miller’s Vanguard are proud to have been supporting all the UK’s Supermarket chains for over 40 years. We are the people behind the scenes ensuring that supermarkets keep the Nation fed, maintaining a wide and varied range of assets from food production equipment through to loading bay lifts.

• Nationwide reactive maintenance
• Hygienic Deep cleaning & Planned maintenance services
• Refurbishment, logistics and installation of equipment

We do all of this with the firm foundations of being owned by the global Ali Group, whose turnover is in excess of £4 billion p.a.

Despite being a large operation here at Miller’s Vanguard we still firmly believe in running the business like we have done for the last 40 years, by valuing our biggest asset—we have YOU, the employee.

Our team of over 500 employees have the advantage of working in state-of-the-art working environments:

• New (2021) Technical response centre
• Award Winning research, Innovation, and recycling facility
• Industry leading Mercedes Benz fleet

We believe in providing you with the very best environment and tools to do the job.

Training is a huge part of our culture here at Miller’s Vanguard. Our City and Guilds accredited training centre coaches and develops our employees regardless of position or length of service, to help staff progress with evolving equipment technologies.

• Training in our City & Guilds accredited academy
• Job Specific Uniform & tooling for all roles
• Company wide fun days and charity events
• Company Pension
• Incremental holiday allowance (up to 32 days per year)
• Regular staff “treats” for employees and their families