The Purchasing Manager is responsible for executing the procurement strategy across the Landscapes division, ensuring cost-effective, reliable and high-quality supply of all products including plants, trees, landscaping materials and associated goods.
This role plays a critical part in delivering margin improvement, supplier performance, and stock availability across a multi-site operation. Working closely with Supply Chain, Planning and Category Management teams, the Purchasing Manager ensures that procurement activity is aligned to demand, seasonality and divisional growth objectives.
Main Responsibilities:
Procurement Execution
- Execute the divisional procurement strategy together with the Head of Supply Chain and Category Managers
- Source and procure products across key categories (e.g. plants, trees, aggregates, landscaping materials)
- Place and manage purchase orders in line with demand plans and stock policies
- Ensure continuity of supply across all sites, particularly during peak seasonal periods
Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers including growers, nurseries and manufacturers
- Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, service and reliability
- Support contract negotiations and pricing reviews
- Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks (weather, seasonality, availability, pricing volatility)
Cost & Margin Management
- Deliver cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives
- Track and manage purchase price variance (PPV)
- Support margin improvement through effective sourcing and range optimisation
- Challenge pricing, minimum order quantities and commercial terms
Demand Alignment
- Work closely with the Planning function to align purchasing with forecasts
- Ensure stock is ordered in line with agreed stock policies and working capital targets
- Support reduction of excess, obsolete and slow-moving stock
- Manage lead times and order cycles to optimise stock availability
Cross Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Site Managers and Warehouse teams to ensure smooth inbound flow of goods
- Work closely with Sales and Customer Service teams to support availability and customer commitments
- Collaborate with Logistics on inbound freight planning and efficiency
- Support new product introductions and range changes
Systems & Process
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of purchase orders within ERP systems
- Maintain data integrity (pricing, supplier records, lead times, MOQ, etc.)
- Follow and enforce procurement processes and governance standards
- Support continuous improvement of purchasing processes and systems
Sustainability
- Support sustainable sourcing initiatives aligned to divisional and group ESG goals
- Promote responsible supplier practices and traceability where applicable
- Contribute to reduction of waste and environmental impact in the supply chain
Experience & Capabilities (essential)
- Proven experience in a purchasing or procurement role within a multi-site or distribution environment
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills
- Experience working with seasonal, perishable or demand-variable products (highly desirable)
- Commercially astute with a strong focus on cost and margin
- Experience using ERP systems for purchasing and inventory management
- Strong analytical capability and attention to detail
- Ability to operate at pace and manage competing priorities
- Exposure to demand planning or S&OP processes
- Understanding of logistics and inbound freight considerations
Experience (desirable)
- Experience in landscaping, horticulture, agriculture, construction materials or related sectors
- Experience working with growers, nurseries or import supply chains
It’s you we’re interested in. At Origin, we want everyone to have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential. We positively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexuality, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy and maternity.
Having a diverse and inclusive business is vital for our future success and that’s why we treat all our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their background or any other protected characteristic.
