Purchasing Officer

**About Korea Foods Company**:
Korea Foods Company is a family-owned importer, distributor, and retailer of Korean and other Asian food. We are the largest importer of Korean food in Europe, distribute to 1200 wholesale customers, including the major multiples, and operate 19 retail shops in the UK.

We pride ourselves on working hard, quickly, and we are currently undertaking new expansion plans that will drive the company’s capabilities further.

**Hours: 42.5 hours per week,**Monday - Friday 08:30 - 18:00

**Main Purpose & Scope of the Job**

Reporting into the Purchasing Manager, the Purchasing Officers will be responsible for ensuring that Korea Foods Company Limited is sector leading through negotiated favourable terms to support budget limitations, quality products, necessary stock levels and maximum ROI.

The Purchasing Officers will analyse and assess the day to day dealings within the Purchasing Department to ensure that all suppliers and vendors are working within the terms of agreements and product flows are maintained whilst monitoring the market for any trends or areas for potential business growth.

The Purchasing Officers will support the Purchasing Manager in maintaining all necessary records and reports whilst ensuring that our supplier relationships and transactions are in line with our company vision, mission and core values.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Assist Purchasing Manager to negotiate appropriate contracts for pricing and supply of goods and product specifications;
- Attend trade fairs, shows and demonstrations to keep abreast of all sector/ market movements and trends, identifying any area for potential growth, checking product quality and supplier catalogues;
- Research new items and potential suppliers, analysing any bids or tenders and negotiating prices whilst comparing product quality;
- Conduct ongoing reviews of purchasing agreements with vendors to ensure the business is achieving maximum ROI;
- Create and maintain goods relationships with any and all vendors/ suppliers;
- Assess supply networks, ensuring that the Company’s purchasing needs are met, presenting any new supply routes to the Senior Management team;
- Assess budgetary limitations against stock requirements and sales forecasts, to decide on the number/frequency of goods ordered;
- Work with the Sales and Inventory to monitor stock levels, sales forecasts and promotional plans to build the purchasing plan;
- Ensure that items received comply with the ordered item(s) specification(s) and reporting any issues to the Purchasing Manager and vendor(s);
- Liaise with relevant shipping agents for the correct importation documents, shipment scheduling, freight costs, port clearances and any other importation related issues;
- Track incoming inventory, reporting updates to the relevant internal departments and ensuring that the Warehouse Receiving team are aware and prepared for the items;
- Organise and maintain the database of suppliers and products with any significant information;
- Maintain all purchasing records; prepare reports for the Purchasing Manager and Trading Director for the P&L, on a routine basis and on an ad-hoc basis;
- Maintain strong relationships internally to ensure communications between departments are optimised and supporting the greater business strategies;
- Enter order details into the internal databases PO and AP systems, ensuring that there are no internal payment delays;
- Authorising payments for goods received according to delivery records;
- Preparing the right bidding plan for Duty Free Rice license (RPA relate) per every quarter
- Any other reasonable management instruction or request.

**Person Specification**
- Solid knowledge and understanding of purchasing processes, policy, and systems;
- Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and SAP;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to negotiate, establish, and process contracts;
- Able to work to deadlines and prioritise workload according to given timescales with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail;
- Good knowledge of vendor sourcing practices (researching, evaluating and liaising with vendors);
- Solid analytical skills, with the ability to create financial reports and conduct cost analyses.

**Key benefits but not limited to, include**:

- Paid day off on your birthday;
- Yearly bonus
- Free onsite parking
- Holiday starting at 28 days plus a personal day rising to 29 days after 5 years (Bank holidays Inclusive);
- Pension scheme -3% contributed by the company;
- Annual pay review;
- 5% discount from Company’s retail stores Seoul Plaza and Cash and Carry ;

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £29,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Store discount

Application question(s):

- If you are holding a VISA, please also advise the visa type and the expiry date for the current visa.

**Experience**:

- Procure