Assistant Manager - Purchase

Liberty Books is seeking a highly skilled and results-driven Assistant Manager – Purchase with strong experience in retail procurement and purchasing operations. The ideal candidate will possess advanced proficiency in MS Excel, excellent English communication skills, and the ability to effectively manage purchasing activities, supplier relationships, inventory planning, and cost optimization. This role requires an analytical, proactive, and detail-oriented professional capable of coordinating with multiple departments to ensure timely procurement and uninterrupted product availability across retail outlets and warehouse operations.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Purchasing Management:
Manage end-to-end purchasing activities aligned with business requirements. Identify purchasing needs and ensure timely procurement of products and materials. Prepare and process purchase orders with accuracy and proper documentation. Monitor pending orders and follow up with suppliers to guarantee on-time deliveries. Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company budgets and operational needs.

Vendor & Supplier Management:
Identify, evaluate, and build relationships with reliable suppliers and vendors. Negotiate prices, payment terms, discounts, and delivery schedules to secure cost-effective deals. Compare supplier quotations and recommend the best purchasing decisions. Monitor vendor performance regarding quality, pricing, and delivery commitments. Resolve supplier-related issues while maintaining strong business relationships.

Inventory & Stock Management:
Monitor inventory levels and collaborate with warehouse and retail teams to assess stock requirements. Ensure timely replenishment of fast-moving and essential items. Analyze stock availability, movement, and consumption trends. Identify slow-moving, excess, and low-stock inventory. Coordinate stock planning to minimize shortages and avoid unnecessary accumulation.

Reporting & Data Analysis:
Prepare and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly purchasing reports. Develop Excel-based reports for purchase tracking, stock analysis, and supplier comparisons. Analyze purchasing trends, costs, and inventory needs. Maintain accurate procurement records, purchase orders, and supplier databases. Present purchasing performance reports and insights to management.

Coordination & Operational Support:
Coordinate with Finance, Warehouse, Operations, and other departments to ensure smooth purchasing processes. Verify and process purchase-related documentation promptly. Follow up on pending invoices, deliveries, and payment matters. Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and approval procedures. Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes and operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. A minimum of 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in purchasing or procurement, preferably within the retail industry. Experience in retail chains, departmental stores, book retail, FMCG, or distribution businesses is preferred. Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, data analysis, and reporting. Excellent written and verbal English communication skills. Strong understanding of procurement procedures, vendor management, and inventory control. Experience with ERP systems or procurement management software is an advantage.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

Strong negotiation and vendor management abilities. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Proficient numerical and data-handling capabilities. Effective communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage multiple purchasing activities simultaneously with strong attention to detail and accuracy. Good planning, coordination, and time-management skills. Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary ranging from PKR 100,000 to 110,000 per month, depending on experience and competency. Candidates will benefit from a professional working environment and the opportunity to work with an established retail organization. This is an in-person role based at the company’s location.