Accountant

The Accountant within the Purchasing department will be responsible for product costings, purchasing analysis, supplier commercial terms and the day-to-day management of the purchasing team.

The role will ensure that product costs are accurately calculated and maintained, purchasing processes are properly controlled, and the team operates efficiently while supporting management with reliable information for pricing and purchasing decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise the Purchasing department team, allocating responsibilities and monitoring day-to-day performance.

• Prepare and maintain accurate product costings, including purchase price, freight, logistics and other directly attributable costs.

• Review product margins and identify high-cost and margin variances.

• Ensure that supplier price lists, discounts, rebates and agreed commercial terms are correctly reflected in product costings.

• Review supplier price changes and assess their impact on costs, margins and selling prices.

• Work with management and commercial teams on pricing decisions where cost changes may require selling-price adjustments.

• Monitor purchase orders and ensure that purchasing procedures are followed correctly and efficiently.

• Oversee the correct setup and maintenance of supplier and product purchasing information within the system.

• Review purchasing data and identify opportunities for cost savings and improved supplier terms.

• Monitor purchasing trends, including changes in product costs, volumes and supplier performance.

• Coordinate with suppliers on pricing, commercial terms and discrepancies as required.

• Ensure that discrepancies in quantities, purchase prices, discounts and other purchasing terms are investigated and resolved promptly.

• Establish appropriate controls and procedures within the Purchasing department.

• Prepare regular purchasing, costing and margin reports for management.

• Support the team with more complex purchasing and costing issues.

• Continuously identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and accuracy of purchasing processes.

Key Requirements

• Accounting or business-related qualification, or strong relevant commercial experience.

• Good understanding of cost accounting, product costing and margin analysis.

• Strong Excel and analytical skills.

• Experience in purchasing, retail, FMCG or a high-volume product environment would be an advantage.

• Previous experience managing or supervising a team.

• Strong attention to detail and commercial awareness.

• Good organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work with large volumes of products, suppliers and pricing information.