Grampa Jack’s not the only one tightening the belt on his corduroys in the lean months after Christmas.
Today’s tough economic climate means Scotland’s production and manufacturing firms are doing the same.
Whatever sector they’re catering for, from food and drink to electronics and pharmaceuticals, they’re watching the pennies, with cost and value for money the watchwords on everyone’s lips.
That’s why, if we were the betting sort at s1jobs, our money would be on purchasing managers becoming the business stars of the future.
This is thanks to their ability to deliver growth and improve margins through savvy shopping and sensible savings.
Responsible for buying the best quality equipment, goods and services at the most competitive prices, their job is like a mammoth weekly shop – only without the 2-for-1s.
Often dealing with huge orders, sometimes on a worldwide scale, purchasing managers need to be cool headed if they’re to save money and increase profits for their manufacturing business.
And what they’re buying is as varied as the many businesses out there – it could be sourcing thousands of manufacturing components to purchasing the energy a production factory needs to operate.
Typical responsibilities can include managing budgets, forecasting levels of demand for services and products, keeping a check on stock levels, researching the best products and suppliers, forecasting price trends and agreeing contracts.
When it comes to skills, the most successful purchasing managers have the tenacity of a top banking broker coupled with the diplomatic abilities of a UN negotiator.
Because it’s all about the bottom line, relationships between customers and suppliers can sometimes be difficult, and being a good communicator with a handy knowledge of conflict resolution techniques is helpful.
Commercial awareness, good analytical skills, adaptability, tact and diplomacy are also vital qualities to have. Being able to work well under pressure too is an advantage when hiccups occur, such as delays in the supply chain.
The job is usually office-based but at senior level it might involve national and international travel to source products and build those key contacts with suppliers.
Graduate entry-level salaries for a purchasing assistant can start at around £20,000 but senior managers and purchasing directors can expect to earn upwards of £50,000. Kerching!
Even better, if you land a job as a production operator, there are great opportunities to move up into this senior position.
Want to buy into a fab new career? Take a look at the latest Production and Manufacturing vacancies on s1jobs.