Farm Tech Supplies Ltd
Head of Stock Control
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Reporting To: Managing Director
Location: Blacknest Industrial Estate, Alton, GU34 4PX
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5pm (½ hour lunch)
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000
Role Purpose
The Head of Stock Control is responsible for the planning, purchasing, and management of our supply chain. This role is dedicated solely to purchasing and inventory management and is separate from product development. The successful candidate will ensure the business purchases the right products, in the right quantities, at the right time, and at the most commercially advantageous cost, whilst maintaining excellent supplier relationships, supporting sales demand, and protecting company cash flow.
This is a commercially focused role requiring strong analytical skills, excellent planning ability, and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Purchasing & Supply Management
- Ownership of the entire purchasing function across the business, whilst continually improving it
- Develop and implement purchasing strategies to support company objectives
- Purchase products from suppliers in the UK, China, Italy, and Serbia & manage supplier relationships ensuring high standards of quality, cost, delivery, and service
- Ensuring stock is purchased at the correct quantities, costs, and lead times
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, and payment terms to achieve the best commercial value
- Monitor supplier performance, quality, delivery, and service levels
- Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs whilst maintaining product quality
- Ensure compliance with company standards, CE regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing practices
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Inventory Management
- Manage inventory exceeding £1 million
- Logging of incoming stock
- Maintain optimum stock levels to maximize availability whilst minimizing excess stock
- Improve stock turns and reduce obsolete or slow-moving inventory
- Undertake regular inventory reviews and recommend purchasing adjustments
- Ensure purchasing decisions support healthy company cash flow
Forecasting & Planning
- Work closely with the Product & Logistics Manager regarding new products
- Work closely with sales, finance, and workshop teams to align purchasing plans with business forecasts and inventory targets
- Convert demand forecasts into structured purchasing plans
- Analyse historical sales, seasonal trends, and future demand
International Logistics
- Plan international shipments efficiently
- Manage container utilisation and loading plans
- Coordinate import schedules with freight forwarders and logistics providers
- Develop a sound understanding of international shipping regulations, customs requirements, and import procedures
- Monitor freight costs and identify opportunities for improved efficiency
Reporting & Analysis
- Produce regular purchasing reports for senior management
- Develop and monitor key purchasing KPI’s including:
- Stock availability
- Supplier performance
- Purchase price variance
- Inventory value
- Forecast accuracy
- Container utilisation
- Analyse purchasing data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
- Make recommendations based on data and commercial insight
- Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience within a purchasing, buying, or supply chain management role
- Experience managing significant inventory values (ideally £1m or over)
- Experience purchasing internationally
- Strong understanding of stock control and inventory management
- Knowledge of international shipping and import procedures
- Experience negotiating with suppliers
- Strong commercial awareness and financial understanding
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Experience using inventory management systems
Desirable Qualifications
- Sage 200 Pro experience
Personal Attributes
- Commercially astute and results driven
- Highly organised and methodical
- Self motivated with a proactive approach
- Strong attention to detail
- Professional and ethical
- Collaborative team player capable of working across multiple functions and cultures
SALARY & BENEFITS
- Performance-based bonus (after successful probation)
- Pension scheme
- Free onsite parking
- Training and professional development opportunities
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (increasing with service)
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