Purchasing & Inventory Manager (UK Properties)
The Role
This is a hands-on operational role responsible for purchasing, stock control, and the physical standards of storerooms across all properties. The role includes managing supplier relationships, ensuring stock accuracy, implementing consistent procedures, and maintaining compliant, secure, and well-organised storage areas.
As part of the wider management team, the Purchasing & Inventory Manager will also carry out Duty Manager responsibilities when required, supporting hotel operations and ensuring smooth running of the sites.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing & Inventory Management
- Manage central purchasing for all sites, including comparing suppliers and negotiating best prices and terms.
- Oversee the physical organisation of storerooms, including zoning, labelling, shelving, FIFO/FEFO rotation, and secure storage.
- Standardise goods receiving procedures: verify deliveries against purchase orders, sign off correctly, and record batch/expiry details and quantities.
- Enforce stock control processes including requisitions, stock movement logs, weekly/monthly stock counts, and annual stocktake.
- Implement and maintain security measures: controlled key access, restricted areas for high-value items, and segregation of different stock types.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP (F&B), COSHH (chemicals), and all relevant health and safety requirements.
- Develop and roll out standard operating procedures and documentation (GRNs, requisitions, stock count templates, etc.).
- Conduct regular store audits to assess accuracy, organisation, hygiene, and compliance.
- Produce and maintain KPI reporting such as shrinkage %, stock accuracy %, turnover ratios, and expired stock value.
Duty Manager Responsibilities
- Act as Duty Manager across hotel operations when scheduled or required.
- Provide operational support to departments including F&B, Front Office, Housekeeping, and Maintenance.
- Respond to guest queries, incidents, or emergencies in line with company procedures.
- Ensure a visible management presence across the property and maintain service standards.
- Oversee shift handovers, logging key events and actions.
- Support other managers in maintaining compliance, safety, and service delivery.
About You
- Minimum 3 years' experience in purchasing, inventory, or stores management (hospitality background preferred).
- Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.
- Confident in supplier communication, negotiation, and commercial comparison.
- IT proficient (Excel essential; inventory systems experience advantageous).
- Hands-on, practical, and comfortable working in storerooms as well as undertaking administrative tasks.
- Able to travel regularly between Southampton-area properties.
- Legal right to work in the UK is required.
- Suitable for a mid-level manager ready to step into a wider, multi-site operational role.
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
