Sourcing Specialist

JOB TITLE:         Sourcing Specialist

LOCATION:      Aylesford, Kent. Office Based

WORKING HOURS: 7am - 4.30pm, Office based.

A bit about the role

Due to continued growth both in the UK and internationally we are seeking an experienced Sourcing Specialist to support the next stage of our growth.

The ideal candidate will be from a manufacturing background, ideally from within the furniture industry, be a strong, tenacious communicator and effective negotiator, with the ability to build relationships with our suppliers.

You will take accountability for ensuring our suppliers and our supplier processes are efficient, sustainable and profitable, implementing improvements where necessary. You will work closely with our Product and Operations teams to ensure our supply chain planning, purchasing and logistics processes are efficient and profitable, implementing improvement where necessary. The role is a truly cross-functional role and will require excellent relationship management and negotiation skills. Your responsibilities will include negotiating deals with suppliers, researching alternatives and taking stock of current products & suppliers.

The position will also work across Workagile, our associated unique workplace furniture solutions business.

Some of the key responsibilities

• Proactively identify and source new products and suppliers, both domestically and internationally, developing new sourcing options as necessary.
• Working closely with suppliers and internal departments to ensure efficient, timely supply of materials and products.
• Challenge and manage suppliers to deliver the required standards and measure their performance against agreed objectives and SLAs, putting in place corrective actions where necessary.
• Achieving cost reduction goals as assigned by the business, as well as bringing your own ideas
• Working cross functionally with internal departments, collaborating to align and develop sourcing strategies.
• Negotiating contracts, improved prices, SLA’s and terms of business with new and current supply base and review opportunities to make business savings utilising negotiation and procurement best practise tools and methods.
• Managing any initial issues with new suppliers once onboard before handing over to the purchasing team.
• Maximising communication techniques, including using the phone as a primary method to achieve the best possible levels of engagement.
• Working with production / designers to identify any cost savings within the product design or product assembly to improve margins.
• Building and maintaining long term relationships with existing suppliers, constantly assessing and evaluating in conjunction with purchasing team.
• Ensuring that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships.
• Overseeing all supplier contacts and contracts, maintaining and improving relationships to ensure effective pricing and lead times.
• Constant evaluation of Suppliers in quality control ensuring all items meet the specs we provide.
• Communicate, monitor and advise on any supply problems which may impact on the business.
• Work with Quality Control & Compliance Manager and After Sales to reduce/eliminate any quality control and / or manufacturing problems.

Requirements

• Have previous sourcing and cost reduction experience as a buyer.
• Prior experience within a manufacturing environment is essential, ideally within the furniture industry, with a focus on European locations.
• Confident, with strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Have extensive knowledge of raw material pricing along with an understanding of market indexes
• Excellent Project Management skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to build and maintain effective and productive relationships with staff, stakeholders and suppliers.
• Analytical, numerically minded and be able to demonstrate problem solving abilities.
• Strong knowledge of negotiation techniques, commercial understanding and cost breakdown.
• Commercial and financial awareness with a full understanding on how failure impacts product, manufacturing and customer fulfilment.
• Excellent IT skills with competent use of Microsoft Office (mainly Outlook and Excel).
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Proactive and able to manage time effectively, prioritise tasks and achieve set targets and dates.
• Practical, commercial and technically minded and a real problem solver.
• Tenacious, with a strong drive to bring results in terms of efficiencies and cost savings.
• Ability to think outside the box when issues arise with delays and try and resolve.
• Able to work well under pressure and able to work to tight deadlines.
• Happy to travel internationally on short timescale.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• You embody our company people values:
• Teamwork - Collaborate effectively with humility, appreciating and integrating individual skills and perspectives to achieve collective goals.
• Committed - Dedicate yourself fully to your role, going above and beyond with self-motivation and loyalty to achieve individual, team, and company goals.
• Ownership - Take full responsibility for your work, performance, and conduct, acting with integrity, staying organised, and learning from feedback and mistakes.
• Positive - Approach tasks with optimism and innovation, viewing challenges as opportunities, and bringing energy and enthusiasm to inspire and motivate others.
• Responsive - React quickly and effectively to needs and feedback, prioritising tasks with urgency, embracing change, and maintaining a proactive approach.

Why work for us

Pineapple is a leader in designing and manufacturing innovative furniture solutions for challenging environments. A family run company started in 1975, Pineapple is now a global business with headquarters in Kent (UK) and offices in France, Germany and the USA.

Pineapple still runs by its original ethos of creating mindfully designed furniture that not only works effortlessly and looks great but also helps foster a calm and supportive environment. Join Pineapple and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference through quality, innovation, sustainability and exceptional customer care.

Benefits

What we offer you

• Proudly featured in The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work 2024
• Competitive pay
• Pension scheme
• Healthcare Cash Plan – You can claim for medical expenses, dentist or optical services, as well as access to 100s of deals and discounts
• 23 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• Extra day’s leave for your birthday
• Workplace nursery scheme
• On joining we'll plant a tree in your honour
• Regular team socials and events
• Monthly pizza Friday
• Fruit and snacks are provided daily
• Employee referrals bonus scheme
• Recognition of excellence/Employee rewards schemes
• Company volunteering day
• High quality office environment
• Sustainability focused business
• Free onsite parking / walking distance from train station

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

Agencies we know where you are if we need any support, thank you for your interest in working with Pineapple.