Buyer

<p class="text-muted mb-3">We are seeking to recruit a proactive and commercially minded Buyer to join our Procurement Team within a leading scientific distribution business. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis and in return, you will recieve a competitive salary.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">The successful candidate will be responsible for managing supplier relationships, optimising stock levels, and ensuring the timely and cost-effective procurement of scientific products and consumables.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">About Us</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">SLS are the UK’s largest independent supplier of laboratory equipment, chemicals and consumables. Because of our independence, we have a unique approach to sourcing and supplying the highest quality, best value products and brands. Supplying to a wide range of sectors, provides a diverse and interesting customer base as well as providing countless opportunity to grow and expand.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">With a Nottingham based Head Office, with customers all over the UK, we are a stable and growing company who have an excellent reputation in the market.  We proudly supported the NHS and scientific community over the course of the Pandemic as well as supporting the education sector with vital supplies to be able to aid teaching for children affected by school closures. </p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">We are passionate about our people and have developed a strong team dynamic who are welcoming and supportive of new individuals joining the company with a brilliant management team to support you as your find your feet in the role.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">We are also proud to be a Living Wage Employer and committed to equal opportunities and actively promote a diverse and inclusive working environment, and fairness for everyone.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">About the Buyer Role</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Reporting to the Inventory Manager and collaborating closely with the wider business</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">you will be managing our suppliers and stock effectively, negotiating pricing and delivering an exceptional service to both internal and external customers that embraces our core values, drives sustainable business practice and delivers best value to the organisation and our partners.</p>

<h5 class="fw-bold text-success mt-4 mb-3">Key Responsibilities as our Buyer will include</h5>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Place purchase orders with suppliers for stock in a timely and efficient manner.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Place purchase orders for direct delivery to customer sites ensuring due diligence and coordination with suppliers and internal teams to guarantee delivery and invoicing.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Review and verify order acknowledgements- checking product codes, pack sizes, quantities and due dates- and update systems as needed.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Resolve invoice queries and other purchasing related issues promptly.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Monitor stock inventory and reorder levels to ensure product availability while avoiding overstocking.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure reliability, competitive pricing, quality and timely delivery.  </p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Proactively negotiate best prices where possible to support commercial goals.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Respond to supply chain challenges and actively resolve issues to maintain customer confidence and service levels.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Handle escalations and ensure resolutions are satisfactory for both the business and customer.  </p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders- Sales, Operations, Finance and Customer Service.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Support the implementation of procurement policies and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Meet with supplier representatives as required to review performance and opportunities.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Promote the Procurement department internally with a positive, solutions focused attitude.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Support additional projects as requested by the Procurement Manager.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">The Ideal Candidate</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Proven experience in a buying or procurement role, ideally within scientific, technical, or distribution sectors.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Strong commercial awareness and analytical skills.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Good negotiation and communication abilities.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Experience with inventory management systems and procurement software.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Experience of using ticketing systems such as Freshdesk.</p>

<h5 class="fw-bold text-success mt-4 mb-3">Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment, managing orders, queries and stakeholder requirements concurrently.</h5>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Keen attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Well-developed interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships with colleagues, key stakeholders and suppliers.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Team ethos.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Competent/computer literate with several Microsoft Office applications and relevant software packages.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Ability to organise and prioritise workload.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing, self-motivated and driven.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Nice to have</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply CIPS qualified (Minimum Level 4) or willing to work towards.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Experience in Scientific or Medical Industry</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Benefits</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Competitive salary</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Company pension</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Small, friendly & sociable teams with staff events</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Company profit bonus schemes</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Cycle2work schemes</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Free parking at all UK sites</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Career development/progression opportunities</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Why Join SLS?</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Alongside our commitment to your professional and personal development, we also offer a generous benefits package including:</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Competitive salary</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d)</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Hybrid working model – 3 days in the office after successfully completing training</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Health Shield cash plan</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Employee Assistance Programme</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Company NEST pension</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Small, friendly, and sociable teams with staff events</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Company profit bonus schemes</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Cycle2work schemes</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Career opportunities for development and progression</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Opportunity to purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">If you’re interested in joining the SLS team as a Buyer, please click ‘Apply’ now! We want to hear from you</p>