Procurement Executive

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Assist in identifying and evaluating potential international suppliers and vendors for various goods and services, with a strong emphasis on sourcing from China and other key global manufacturing hubs.
- Conduct extensive global market research to identify new products, services, and suppliers, assessing their capabilities and reliability for international supply chains.
- Maintain and update a database of approved international vendors, including their performance metrics, quality standards, and compliance records.
- Support the evaluation of international supplier bids and proposals, considering factors like lead times, shipping costs, customs, and quality control.

**Purchasing & Order Management (Global)**:

- Prepare and issue purchase orders (POs) based on approved requisitions for international procurements.
- Track the status of international orders, ensuring timely delivery from global origins to UK destinations, and proactively resolving any delays, customs issues, or discrepancies.
- Coordinate seamlessly with international suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and internal departments (e.g., Production, Warehouse, Finance) to ensure smooth cross-border procurement processes.
- Verify receipt of goods and services against international purchase orders and specifications, including quality checks upon arrival.

**Negotiation & Cost Control (Global)**:

- Assist in negotiating terms, conditions, and pricing with international suppliers to achieve favorable agreements, considering exchange rates, payment terms, and logístical costs.
- Identify opportunities for global cost savings and efficiency improvements in procurement, including optimizing shipping methods and consolidating orders.
- Ensure international purchases are within budget and adhere to company spending policies and international trade finance practices.

**Documentation & Record Keeping (International Trade)**:

- Maintain accurate and organized procurement records for international transactions, including purchase orders, contracts, invoices, shipping documents (e.g., Bill of Lading, Air Waybill), customs declarations, and delivery notes.
- Ensure all international procurement documentation is complete and compliant with internal policies, **UK import regulations**, and relevant international trade laws.
- Prepare regular reports on global procurement activities, spend analysis by region/country, and international supplier performance.

**Compliance & Ethics (International)**:

- Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical guidelines, **UK import/export regulations**, and relevant international trade laws (e.g., anti-bribery, forced labor prevention).
- Adhere to best practices in international procurement to ensure transparency, fairness, and sustainability in global supplier interactions.

**Stakeholder Communication**:

- Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders (e.g., UK operations, sales) to understand their international procurement needs and provide updates on global order status.
- Liaise professionally with international suppliers to build strong, collaborative relationships, often across different time zones and cultures.

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, International Trade, Commerce, or a related field.
- Optional: Certifications in Procurement/Supply Chain (e.g., CIPS, ISM) or International Trade/Logistics are a plus.

**Experience**:

- Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in a procurement, purchasing, or supply chain role, with demonstrable experience in **international sourcing and logistics**.
- Proven experience in issuing purchase orders and managing vendor relationships **across different countries, particularly with suppliers in China**.
- Familiarity with international shipping documentation, customs procedures, and Incoterms.
- Experience with procurement software or ERP systems is an advantage.

**Skills & Competencies**:
**Technical Expertise**:

- Strong understanding of international procurement processes, global supply chains, and import/export procedures.
- Knowledge of **UK import regulations, customs duties, and VAT implications for international goods**.
- Familiarity with sourcing best practices in **Asian markets, particularly China**.
- Proficiency in logistics management software and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
- **Attention to Detail**: Meticulous in managing international documentation and verifying complex information.
- **Negotiation Skills**: Basic to intermediate negotiation abilities, adaptable to international business cultures.
- **Organizational Skills**: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple international orders and priorities simultaneously.
- **Communication**: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with international suppliers and internal teams.
- **Problem-So