Our client, a growing and ambitious Manufacturing organisation, is seeking an experienced Purchasing and Customer Service Specialist to join their team in Longford.
This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented and commercially focused professional to take ownership of customer order management, procurement activities, and supplier coordination. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring continuity of supply, maintaining strong customer service levels, supporting inventory management, and driving cost efficiencies across the business.
Responsibilities
- Managing customer orders and all related administration activities, including order confirmations, dispatch notes, credit notes, invoices, shipping documentation, and general customer service support.
- Supporting procurement activities to ensure the uninterrupted supply of materials and services required for business operations.
- Sourcing materials, goods, and services in line with company requirements and purchasing strategies.
- Managing day-to-day purchasing activities across assigned commodities and supplier accounts.
- Creating, placing, and tracking purchase orders through to delivery.
- Maintaining strong supplier relationships and resolving supply, quality, pricing, and delivery issues in a timely manner.
- Supporting supplier negotiations and cost-saving initiatives to improve value and efficiency.
- Monitoring and maintaining inventory levels in line with agreed targets.
- Expediting critical materials to prevent production delays or supply interruptions.
- Managing supplier communications relating to forecasts, demand changes, and delivery requirements.
- Ensuring ERP systems remain accurate and up to date, including lead times, pricing, minimum order quantities, and supplier information.
- Supporting supplier audits and maintaining compliance documentation.
- Identifying opportunities for cost reduction and securing competitive pricing options.
- Ensuring compliance with purchasing policies, procedures, and company standards.
- Executing buying strategies as defined by the Supply Chain Manager.
- Maintaining accuracy of Bills of Materials (BOM) relating to assigned products.
- Collaborating with internal departments including Production, Logistics, Finance, Engineering, and Operations.
- Assisting with the resolution of issues relating to damaged or inferior products, returns, invoice discrepancies, and supplier queries.
- Managing urgent and expedited purchasing requirements in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
- Proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks within the supply chain.
- Managing and negotiating non-stock purchases.
- Monitoring and reporting on Purchasing KPIs and supplier performance metrics.
- Managing freight shipments and import/export documentation, including air and ocean freight paperwork and SAD documentation.
- Providing support, guidance, and training to other purchasing team members where required.
Requirements
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar purchasing, customer service, procurement, or inventory-focused role.
- Diploma or degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related discipline preferred; however, relevant industry experience will also be considered.
- Previous experience managing supplier relationships and purchase order processes.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships internally and externally.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to resolving issues.
- Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and manage workload effectively.
- Experience using ERP systems and maintaining accurate purchasing data.
- Ability to support, mentor, and train colleagues within a purchasing environment.
For a confidential discussion and more information on this role, please contact Sarra Hadi
sarra.hadi@collinsmcnicholas.ie
090-6478104
