Purchasing and Customer Service Specialist

Our client, a growing and ambitious Manufacturing organisation, is seeking an experienced Purchasing and Customer Service Specialist to join their team in Longford.

This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented and commercially focused professional to take ownership of customer order management, procurement activities, and supplier coordination. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring continuity of supply, maintaining strong customer service levels, supporting inventory management, and driving cost efficiencies across the business.

Responsibilities

• Managing customer orders and all related administration activities, including order confirmations, dispatch notes, credit notes, invoices, shipping documentation, and general customer service support.
• Supporting procurement activities to ensure the uninterrupted supply of materials and services required for business operations.
• Sourcing materials, goods, and services in line with company requirements and purchasing strategies.
• Managing day-to-day purchasing activities across assigned commodities and supplier accounts.
• Creating, placing, and tracking purchase orders through to delivery.
• Maintaining strong supplier relationships and resolving supply, quality, pricing, and delivery issues in a timely manner.
• Supporting supplier negotiations and cost saving initiatives to improve value and efficiency.
• Monitoring and maintaining inventory levels in line with agreed targets.
• Expediting critical materials to prevent production delays or supply interruptions.
• Managing supplier communications relating to forecasts, demand changes, and delivery requirements.
• Ensuring ERP systems remain accurate and up to date, including lead times, pricing, minimum order quantities, and supplier information.
• Supporting supplier audits and maintaining compliance documentation.
• Identifying opportunities for cost reduction and securing competitive pricing options.
• Ensuring compliance with purchasing policies, procedures, and company standards.
• Executing buying strategies as defined by the Supply Chain Manager.
• Maintaining accuracy of Bills of Materials (BOM) relating to assigned products.
• Collaborating with internal departments including Production, Logistics, Finance, Engineering, and Operations.
• Assisting with the resolution of issues relating to damaged or inferior products, returns, invoice discrepancies, and supplier queries.
• Managing urgent and expedited purchasing requirements in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks within the supply chain.
• Managing and negotiating non stock purchases.
• Monitoring and reporting on Purchasing KPIs and supplier performance metrics.
• Managing freight shipments and import/export documentation, including air and ocean freight paperwork and SAD documentation.
• Providing support, guidance, and training to other purchasing team members where required.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a similar purchasing, customer service, procurement, or inventory-focused role.
• Diploma or degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related discipline preferred; however, relevant industry experience will also be considered.
• Previous experience managing supplier relationships and purchase order processes.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships internally and externally.
• Strong problem solving skills with a proactive approach to resolving issues.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and manage workload effectively.
• Experience using ERP systems and maintaining accurate purchasing data.
• Ability to support, mentor, and train colleagues within a purchasing environment.