Purchasing Lead

Westray Recruitment Group; Harrogate; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Harrogate office location

33 days holiday (incl. BH)

Permanent from day one

1 direct report

Growth opportunities

PLC-backed company

Job summary

Westray Recruitment Group is seeking a first-class Purchasing Lead based in the Harrogate area. You will oversee the procurement strategy across divisions, ensuring cost-effective, reliable supply of plants, trees, landscaping materials and associated goods.

In this role you will work with Supply Chain, Planning and Category Management to align procurement with demand, seasonality and divisional growth, while operating in a hybrid model and reporting to one direct supervisor.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in purchasing/procurement across multi-site operations.
• Strong supplier management and negotiation capability.
• Experience with ERP-based purchasing and inventory control.

Responsibilities

• Source and procure products across key categories (plants, trees, landscaping materials).
• Place and manage purchase orders aligned with demand plans.
• Maintain supply continuity across sites, especially during peak seasons.
• Build relationships with growers, nurseries, manufacturers.
• Monitor supplier performance on cost, quality, service.
• Support negotiations and pricing reviews.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks (weather, seasonality, price volatility).
• Drive cost savings and PPV management.
• Collaborate with Planning to align purchasing with forecasts.
• Ensure ERP PO accuracy and data integrity.

Skills

Supplier management

Negotiation skills

ERP systems

Analytical mindset

Attention to detail

Prioritisation

Driving licence

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Harrogate office location.

This is a first-class Purchasing Lead position; The Purchasing Manager is responsible for executing the procurement strategy across one of my clientsdivisions, ensuring cost-effective, reliable and high-quality supply of all products including plants, trees, landscaping materials and associated goods.

This role plays a critical part in delivering margin improvement, supplier performance, and stock availability across a multi-site operation. Working closely with Supply Chain, Planning and Category Management teams, the Purchasing Manager ensures that procurement activity is aligned to demand, seasonality and divisional growth objectives.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

• Annual base Salary – Highly competitive – Depending on experience
• Hybrid – 3 days office, 2 days from home
• Office Location – Harrogate area
• 1 direct report
• Monday to Friday working hours
• 33 days holiday leave, inclusive of bank holidays.
• Upwardly mobile business encountering consistent growth, a market leader within their niche.
• Permanent position from day one
• A clear voice within the business.
• Extremely positive culture
• Ongoing continuous investment within the business!
• Business is a hugely recognised and respected PLC.

THE BUSINESS

Our client specialises within the Agricultural & Horticultural sectors, they are a true market leader within their niche.

THE ROLE

• Source and procure products across key categories (e.g. plants, trees, aggregates, landscaping materials)
• Place and manage purchase orders in line with demand plans and stock policies
• Ensure continuity of supply across all sites, particularly during peak seasonal periods
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers including growers, nurseries and manufacturers
• Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, service and reliability
• Support contract negotiations and pricing reviews
• Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks (weather, seasonality, availability, pricing volatility)
• Deliver cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives
• Track and manage purchase price variance (PPV)
• Support margin improvement through effective sourcing and range optimisation
• Challenge pricing, minimum order quantities and commercial terms
• Work closely with the Planning function to align purchasing with forecasts
• Ensure stock is ordered in line with agreed stock policies and working capital targets
• Support reduction of excess, obsolete and slow-moving stock
• Manage lead times and order cycles to optimise stock availability
• Partner with Site Managers and Warehouse teams to ensure smooth inbound flow of goods
• Work closely with Sales and Customer Service teams to support availability and customer commitments
• Collaborate with Logistics on inbound freight planning and efficiency
• Support new product introductions and range changes
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of purchase orders within ERP systems
• Maintain data integrity (pricing, supplier records, lead times, MOQ, etc.)
• Follow and enforce procurement processes and governance standards
• Support continuous improvement of purchasing processes and systems
• Support sustainable sourcing initiatives aligned to divisional and group ESG goals
• Promote responsible supplier practices and traceability where applicable
• Contribute to reduction of waste and environmental impact in the supply chain

THE PERSON

• Proven experience in a purchasing or procurement role within a multi-site or distribution environment
• Strong supplier management and negotiation skills
• Driving licence is essential
• Experience working with seasonal, perishable or demand-variable products (highly desirable)
• Commercially astute with a strong focus on cost and margin
• Experience using ERP systems for purchasing and inventory management
• Strong analytical capability and attention to detail
• Ability to operate at pace and manage competing priorities
• Exposure to demand planning or S&OP processes
• Understanding of logistics and inbound freight considerations

DESIRABLE

• Experience in landscaping, horticulture, agriculture, materials or Merchant Sectors.
• Experience working with growers, nurseries or import supply chains