Buyer

ALS; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

ALS Laboratories in Coventry seeks a proactive Procurement and Supply Chain Manager to optimize purchasing across diverse spend categories. The role involves sourcing critical lab supplies, supporting operational needs, and collaborating with various teams to ensure compliance and efficiency. Strong negotiation, planning, and organisational skills are key for success in this mid-senior level permanent position.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus holidays

Learning/study support and professional fees paid

Ability to buy/sell up to 5 days annual leave

On-site car parking

Qualifications

• 2-5 years experience in procurement or purchasing environment.
• Demonstrated record of implementing savings and efficiency.
• Able to negotiate pricing and delivery schedules.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase laboratory consumables and equipment.
• Negotiate supplier pricing and timelines.
• Manage procurement of non-lab goods and services.

Skills

Negotiation

Planning

Organisational Skills

Communication

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Degree level education or equivalent industry experience

CIPS qualified or working towards

Tools

MS Excel

ERP systems

Job description

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Procurement and supply chain manager - UK and Ireland

ALS Laboratories UK is one of the UK’s leading providers of testing and analytical services to a wide variety of customers enabling them to meet their environmental regulatory requirements. We offer an extensive range of UKAS, MCERTS and DWTS accredited analytical services forWater, Land and Waste monitoring, Food and Pharmaceutical testing.

We have developed a range of analytical services that meet our customers’ specific needs, including standard industry, regulatory and bespoke analytical suites. We are able to respond to customers’ analytical andsampling requirements via our network of laboratories and service centres across theUK and Ireland. We continue to remain at the forefront of the testing services industry, building an enviable reputation.

Buyer, Procurement - Coventry

We are seeking a proactive, detail-driven and passionate Buyer to manage procurement across direct and indirect spend categories. This role will be instrumental in sourcing lab supplies, equipment, and operational services to ensure uninterrupted support specialised projects and daily lab functions.

About the Position:

Days Per Week: Monday - Friday

Basis: Permanent and Full Time (Hybrid)

Closing Date:

Key accountabilities about the Position:

Direct Spend (Laboratory Operations):

• Source and purchase critical laboratory consumables, chemicals, reagents, glassware, and scientific instruments.
• Collaborate with lab managers, scientists, and technical staff to ensure product specifications and timelines are met.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and delivery schedules with suppliers to support ongoing experiments and research projects.
• Ensure quality and regulatory compliance (e.g., ISO, GLP, GMP standards) in supplier selection and product acquisition.
• Effectively work in collaboration with the laboratory and warehouse to identify savings through consolidation of products.

Indirect Spend (Operational & Support):

• Manage procurement of non-lab goods and services such as office supplies, facility maintenance, IT equipment, and professional services.
• Support contracts for vendors including janitorial services, lab equipment maintenance, calibration services, and safety inspections.
• Partner with internal departments (Finance, IT, HR, Facilities) to understand requirements and ensure procurement aligns with organisational goals.
• Identify and implement cost-saving strategies across indirect spend categories.

General Responsibilities:

• Issue RFQs, analyse supplier quotations, adding value and execute purchase orders in compliance with procurement policies.
• Follow and promote the company procurement and quality procedures and demonstrate a high level of ethics and integrity in line with the ALS Code of Conduct.
• Supporting the Procurement Manager to develop sourcing strategies
• Maintain strong relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders to drive procurement efficiency.
• Monitor supplier performance, resolve issues related to delivery or product quality, and escalate concerns as needed.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation in the ERP system.
• Assist with budgeting and reporting on procurement-related KPIs.

About you:

To be successful in this role you will require the following competencies:

• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Strategic foresight
• Excellent numerical skills and the ability to work accurately with data
• Work effectively and enthusiastically as part of a team
• Able to implement and effectively work to a critical path, prioritise their workload, and ‘flex’ with the needs of the business
• Comfortable to be challenged by a fast-paced role with a high interruption level
• A proven innovative approach to problem solving
• Capable of working unsupervised and able to use own initiative
• Advanced level of MS Excel & Office competency
• Willing to travel occasionally to other ALS location within the UK and Ireland / Suppliers
• Full Driving Licence preferred

Skills and Experience:

• 2 – 5 years’ experience in a busy procurement or purchasing environment
• A demonstrated record of implementing savings, efficiency and optimisation
• Educated to degree level (Or equivalent ‘on the job’ industry experience)
• CIPS qualified (Or actively working towards)
• Second European language spoken would be an advantage.

Employee Benefits Include:

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 with service) + 8 public holidays
• Ability to buy / sell up to 5 days annual leave
• Learning / study support and professional fees paid
• Car parking on-site

If you would like to be considered for this position, please send your CV along with a covering letter by email or post to:

Position: Procurement & Supply Chain Manager UK and Ireland

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Purchasing and Supply Chain

• Industries

  International Trade and Development

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