Buyer / Purchasing Coordinator

Role Overview:

This hands-on role is critical in ensuring the seamless flow of raw materials, packaging, and finished goods. You will be responsible for all purchasing and planning activities-from sourcing and ordering, through inventory control, to supporting production with accurate and timely planning based on sales forecasts.

This role suits someone highly organised with a strong understanding of materials planning and supply chain functions, ideally with experience in chemicals or a regulated manufacturing environment.

Core Responsibilities:



Purchasing (Raw Materials & Packaging)

• Source and purchase raw materials, additives, solvents, and packaging to meet production and stock targets
• Monitor supplier lead times, MOQs, and pricing to ensure optimal stock and cashflow balance
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and conduct periodic reviews on pricing and performance
• Raise and manage purchase orders, delivery schedules, and documentation (e.g. COAs, SDSs)

Demand Planning & Forecasting

• Liaise with sales and management to review rolling forecasts
• Translate sales forecast into raw material and packaging requirements
• Adjust planning assumptions based on customer orders, seasonality, and known market shifts

Inventory Management / Stock Control

• Monitor stock levels of raw materials, intermediates, packaging, and finished goods
• Maintain accurate stock records and work with production and warehouse teams to conduct regular cycle counts
• Identify slow-moving or obsolete stock and recommend actions

Production Planning

• Plan production batches based on forecasts, customer orders, and batch-sizing efficiencies
• Schedule jobs to optimise plant capacity and reduce changeover downtime
• Coordinate with production and lab teams to ensure materials are available on time for manufacturing

Systems & Reporting

• Maintain purchasing and stock data in ERP or MRP systems
• Generate weekly/monthly reports on stock levels, purchasing KPIs, and production planning accuracy
• Track usage vs plan and highlight variances

Skills & Experience Required:



Essential

• 3+ years in purchasing, planning, or inventory control (preferably in chemicals, coatings, or manufacturing)
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Strong Excel skills (formulas, lookups, pivot tables)
• Understanding of supply chain processes and basic financial impact of purchasing decisions
• Familiarity with health & safety and regulatory requirements (e.g. REACH, SDS handling)

Desirable

• Experience in polyurethane, resins, or chemical-based industries
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP software
• Experience in a small business / SME environment
• Knowledge of Incoterms and international shipping for materials

Personal Attributes:

• Hands-on, proactive, and detail-focused
• Calm under pressure with good problem-solving skills
• Strong communicator across all levels
• Team player with a flexible mindset

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to make a real impact in a growing business
• Close-knit, collaborative team environment
• Career development in operations and supply chain
• Competitive salary and benefits

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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