SENIOR PURCHASING OFFICER

Kent Shared Services (Kent Corporation); Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KENT WORLDWIDE is seeking an experienced Senior Purchasing Officer to support our national purchasing function across raw materials, packaging, consumables and other business requirements. Reporting to the National Purchasing Manager, the role uses forecasts, stock reports and MRP outputs to secure materials at the required cost, quality, quantity and time.

This hands-on role balances operational priorities, supplier relationships and inventory performance, collaborating with planning,

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, inventory control or materials management, ideally within manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end purchasing for raw materials, packaging, consumables and other approved requirements.

Skills

Forecasting

Supplier relationship management

MRP/ERP understanding

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Supply chain management qualification

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Founded in 1927, KENT WORLDWIDE is a family-owned US company built around specialty ingredients and consumer brands. Over the years, the business has become known around the world for our strength in manufacturing and marketing.

At Kent Consumer Brands APAC, our ambition is to create joyful memories every day, for everybody, around the world. For nearly a century, our core values of Honesty, Quality, Safety, Timeliness, Win Win Partnerships and Curiosity have shaped our culture and long-term success.

We are a fast growing, values driven organisation with a strong portfolio offering Petcare solutions and Food & Beverage products including trusted brands such as Frosty Boy, Sqwincher, Breeder’s Choice and World’s Best Cat Litter. With multiple manufacturing sites across Australia and the UK and products sold in more than 70 countries, we are proud to employ hundreds of people who are passionate about quality, sustainability and innovation.

Joining us means being part of a supportive, growth-oriented business that invests in its people, its brands and its future.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Purchasing Officer to support our national purchasing function across raw materials, packaging, consumables and other business requirements. Reporting to the National Purchasing Manager, the successful candidate will use forecasts, stock reports and MRP outputs to make informed purchasing decisions and ensure materials are available at the required cost, quality, quantity and time.

This hands-on role is suited to someone with strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance operational priorities, supplier relationships and inventory performance. The successful candidate will collaborate with planning, production, warehouse, logistics, sales and finance teams to protect supply continuity and improve business outcomes.

What you'll be doing

• Manage end-to-end purchasing for raw materials, packaging, consumables and other approved requirements.
• Plan order quantities and timing using demand forecasts, production schedules, stock reports, supplier lead times, minimum order quantities and MRP outputs.
• Raise, issue, track and close purchase orders, ensuring pricing, dates, quantities and supplier confirmations remain accurate.
• Monitor overdue, delayed, partially supplied and high-risk orders, escalating material supply risks early.
• Build productive supplier relationships and monitor performance across DIFOT, lead times, pricing, quality, responsiveness and issue resolution.
• Analyse supplier spend and identify opportunities for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, alternate sourcing and process improvement.
• Support supplier negotiations, pricing reviews and commercial improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate purchasing master data and partner with internal teams to resolve supply and order issues.

About you

• Demonstrated experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, inventory control or materials management, ideally within manufacturing.
• Experience purchasing raw materials, packaging, consumables or similar categories.
• Strong knowledge of MRP and ERP purchasing processes, forecast-based ordering, inventory parameters, lead times and minimum order quantities.
• Commercial capability across supplier performance, spend analysis, cost control and continuous improvement.
• Strong attention to detail, clear communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills and confidence interpreting ERP and MRP reports.
• A qualification in supply chain management, business, logistics or a related field is preferred.