Our client is a leading manufacturer and distributor of technical products to wholesale and major retail customer channels. They have grown through organic growth and acquisition to around 200 employees across the group.

The supply chain involves both locally manufactured and overseas purchased items across a SKU range of around 2000 products. Products are warehoused and distributed by a leading 3PL business supporting our client.

At this current time our client is seeking to appoint a Purchasing & Logistics Planner reporting through to the General Manager Supply Chain. The position will oversee supply forecasting and manage the preparation and completion of Purchase Orders (PO) for both local and international vendors, ensuring alignment with the business's critical path and stock management portal. Your responsibilities will also include reviewing, booking, and managing overseas shipments and consolidations in coordination with accredited freight forwarders, while effectively managing lead times to guarantee timely deliveries.

In this role, you will act as a key facilitator of seamless communication between vendors, warehouses, logistics service providers (LSPs), and internal teams such as product development, sales, customer service, and finance, fostering a streamlined and efficient supply chain.

Main duties include, but are not limited to:

• Vendor Management: Building and maintaining relationships with suppliers to negotiate the best possible terms, including pricing, quality, and delivery schedules. Maintain and update the Item Master and vendor details within the business ERP systems.
• Purchase Orders (PO) Processing: Preparing and processing purchase orders in line with the company’s policies, including managing purchase order workflows and ensuring timely approvals.
• Co-ordinate and manage service providers : Freight forwarders, third-party warehouses, and logistics providers to ensure timely and efficient movement of orders and shipments.
• Inventory Control: Monitoring and managing inventory levels to ensure adequate stock without overstocking, while also ensuring alignment with budget constraints.
• Cost Analysis: Analyzing and comparing costs for materials and services to determine optimal purchasing decisions that align with budget and quality standards.
• Supplier Performance Evaluation: Tracking supplier performance through key metrics, such as quality, delivery time, and responsiveness, to maintain a high standard for supplier relationships.
• Budget Management: Ensuring purchases are made within allocated budgets and contributing to budget planning by forecasting needs and costs.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensuring all purchases meet company policies, legal standards, and regulatory requirements to avoid compliance issues and reduce risk.
• Market Research: Conducting market analysis to stay updated on industry trends, new suppliers, price fluctuations, and competitive products.
• Reporting and Documentation: Maintaining accurate records for all purchasing activities, including invoices, receipts, and reports, and preparing reports on purchasing metrics for management review.
• Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quotation (RFQ): Creating and managing the RFP/RFQ process, including document preparation, distribution, evaluation, and award recommendations.

Key skills and experience required:

• Tertiary qualifications in supply chain or operations is advantageous but not essential.
• Strong experience of purchasing from overseas vendors and organising logistical activities.
• Understanding of ordering products in-line with min/max levels, inventory optimisation and product lead times.
• Proficiency in SAP is preferred or experience working with another mainstream ERP system.
• SQL experience and strong analytical skills is desired.

Please note that the position will be initially based in Salisbury and will be moving to a new purpose built group head office and manufacturing facility in Wacol later in 2025.

Fore more information please contact Jon-Paul Hilton at Sigma Search on [email protected].