Purchasing Leader & Supply Chain Optimizer

Waterco; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterco, based in Rydalmere, is seeking an experienced Head of Purchasing to lead its purchasing function and balance supply reliability, purchasing costs and inventory investment while building a capable, responsive team.

Based in Rydalmere, you will lead 3-5 purchasing team members distributed across Rydalmere and Scoresby and work closely with Planning, Strategic Procurement, Sales, manufacturing and logistics.

Qualifications

• Substantial purchasing and supplier management experience in manufacturing, distribution or a multi-site product business.
• Experience leading and developing a purchasing team across locations.
• Sound understanding of replenishment, seasonal demand, supplier lead times and working capital.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills with focus on cost, service and supply reliability.
• Strong ERP and Excel skills; Epicor experience will be highly regarded. Use of AI tools to enhance analytics and support decision making
• Ability to build productive relationships with suppliers and colleagues across operational and commercial teams.
• Relevant qualifications in supply chain, procurement or business, or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team: Set clear priorities, coach and develop your team, and build consistent purchasing practices across locations.
• Manage purchasing and supply: Translate demand plans into purchasing decisions, coordinating orders with manufacturing and suppliers.
• Strengthen supplier performance: Manage delivery commitments, resolve shortages and delays, and address supply risks.
• Improve commercial outcomes: Work with Strategic Procurement on supplier arrangements, purchasing terms and cost-saving opportunities.
• Support inventory performance: Partner with Planning, branches and Sales to respond to seasonal demand and promos.
• Drive process improvement: Improve purchasing data, reporting and controls, and support forecasting and replenishment improvements.
• Coordinate across the business: Work with Product Managers, Import/Export, warehouses, Quality and Finance.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Analytics

ERP systems

Epicor

Supplier management

Team coaching

Education

Supply chain / procurement degree

Tools

Epicor ERP

Excel

Data analytics tools

Job description

Waterco, based in Rydalmere, is seeking an experienced Head of Purchasing to lead its purchasing function and balance supply reliability, purchasing costs and inventory investment while building a capable, responsive team.

Based in Rydalmere, you will lead 3-5 purchasing team members distributed across Rydalmere and Scoresby and work closely with Planning, Strategic Procurement, Sales, manufacturing and logistics.