Purchasing Coordinator / Buyer

D R Newitt & Associates; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

D R Newitt & Associates in the Blackburn region is recruiting a Purchasing Coordinator / Buyer for a leading FMCG manufacturer. You will lead a small team, manage supplier relationships, and take full ownership of stock availability and compliance.

Responsibilities include negotiating terms, forecasting, ordering, and ensuring on-time delivery across core ranges. You will monitor stock, drive improvements, and present business cases to support key commercial decisions.

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG manufacturing or distribution with supplier management.
• Strong forecasting and stock control skills.
• Ability to build and manage supplier relationships.
• Proven track record in commercial negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Build strong supplier relationships to secure pricing and priority fulfilment.
• Negotiate pricing, rebates, and promotional support.
• Challenge service levels, MOQs, and lead times.
• Own forecasting, ordering and availability across core ranges.
• Maintain stock availability through proactive planning.
• Manage launch and supply chain integration of new products.
• Monitor aged or slow-moving stock and arrange clearance.
• Track KPIs such as On Time in Full delivery, availability %, and stock ageing.
• Present business cases to support key commercial decisions.

Skills

Supplier relationships

Negotiation

Forecasting

Stock control

KPI tracking

Commercial terms

Team leadership

Education

CIPS or equivalent

Job description

A leading Manufacturer based near Blackburn is currently recruiting for a Purchasing Coordinator / Buyer to join their team. Leading a small team, this Purchasing Coordinator / Buyer will lead supplier relationships, negotiate commercial terms, and take full ownership of stock availability and compliance. The Supply Chain Buyer will cover strategic sourcing with hands-on stock management, ensuring the business stays competitive.

Buyer / Purchasing Coordinator responsibilities include:

• Build strong supplier relationships to secure competitive pricing, early product access, and priority fulfilment
• Negotiate favorable commercial terms including pricing, rebates, and promotional support
• Challenge underperformance on service levels, minimum order quantities, and lead times
• Own forecasting, ordering, and availability across core ranges
• Maintain high stock availability through proactive planning
• Manage the launch and supply chain integration of new products
• Monitor aged or slow-moving stock and put in place clearance, returns, or supplier-funded reduction plans
• Track performance through clear KPIs such as On Time in Full delivery, availability %, and stock ageing
• Present business cases internally to support key commercial decisions.

You will be a Purchasing Coordinator / Buyer within an FMCG Manufacturing or Distribution environment with a proven track record of supplier management and commercial negotiation. You will be able to demonstrate the ability to build and manage effective supplier relationships and be skilled in forecasting and stock control.

CIPS or equivalent qualification desirable.