As Purchasing Manager I write and execute the purchasing strategy. I build relationships with all of our suppliers, negotiate best buy prices and manage supplier contracts and relationships. My role is to equip the business with the best product to service the needs of our existing customers and enable us to attract more, and to effectively manage all aspects of procuring our products. My main areas of responsibility are as follows:- Pricing of products and managing the purchasing… Show more As Purchasing Manager I write and execute the purchasing strategy. I build relationships with all of our suppliers, negotiate best buy prices and manage supplier contracts and relationships. My role is to equip the business with the best product to service the needs of our existing customers and enable us to attract more, and to effectively manage all aspects of procuring our products. My main areas of responsibility are as follows:- Pricing of products and managing the purchasing budget- Stock control- Sourcing new products- Working with our suppliers- Delivering regular in-house staff wine training- Arranging and undertaking buying tripsBuying Trips:I have planned and organised numerous buying trips to Bordeaux, Rhone Valley, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Loire Valley, Champagne, Languedoc, Piedmont, Veneto and Trentino. I am well travelled throughout all the main wine buying regions of the world (apart from the US) and in 2011 spent five months travelling throughout the wine regions of the southern hemisphere visiting wineries and building business relations with wine makers who are looking to increase their export sales in the UK. The countries I visited were South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Argntina. I have worked directly with winemakers during 3 harvests in the last 10 years at their wineries which has given me valuable insight into the economic pressures on both sides of the industry.Team work, leadership and time management:At The Vintner I successfully managed 2 other members of staff in the purchasing department ensuring each member of the team was most suited to their role and that were fulfilled with their ongoing objectives which were set weekly. Show less

My work experience includes working in a wine buying role for 3 different companies including managing the purchasing and logistics team of two dynamic and successful London wine merchants as well as running my own successful wine broker and consultancy business. Over my ten years experience as a buyer in the industry I have built up a large portfolio of supplier relationships (over 500 individual contacts) and have close relationships with over 90 suppliers from all over the world. I am highly… Show more My work experience includes working in a wine buying role for 3 different companies including managing the purchasing and logistics team of two dynamic and successful London wine merchants as well as running my own successful wine broker and consultancy business. Over my ten years experience as a buyer in the industry I have built up a large portfolio of supplier relationships (over 500 individual contacts) and have close relationships with over 90 suppliers from all over the world. I am highly experienced in producer negotiations and relationship management. Negotiation Skills and Financial Budgets:I am highly experienced in setting and working towards stock budgets to maximise economic efficiency and the importance this has on improving cash flow. I am experienced in allocation negotiations of fine wine including during en primeur campaigns in Bordeaux and Burgundy. Industry Awareness and Pricing:I have excellent understanding of the current consumer trends in the UK wine market as well as the economic constraints in relation to competitiveness of the market and the physical constraints of products themselves (yield and vintage variables) that require good understanding to maintain adequate supply. I am also well aware of the importance of having products that can be competitively priced whilst still retaining adequate margin.Wine Selection Skills:I am a highly experienced taster. The type of businesses I have been buying for required me to be present at most UK trade shows throughout the last 10 years. I have been at Prowein every year in a buying role since it started. I have been to the last 4 VinExpo fairs, I am a frequent visitor to the Salon des Loire tasting in Angers. I have been at the last 3 Bordeaux en primeur campaigns and visited Burgundy twice annually every year to select en primeur wines prior to the January primeur season. I have been to every UGC tasting dating back to the 2005 vintage. Show less

Business Management:In 2011 I set up my own wine business (The Bespoke London Wine Company Limited) acting as a "bespoke broker" that acts as a link between producers looking to expand their exports into the UK, and UK merchants who are looking for new wines to add to their list. The busines traded with a broad cross section of clients from large retailers like Marks and Spencer to specialist indepent wine merchants such as Robersons Fine Wine and The Vintner. The Vintner then hired me in a… Show more Business Management:In 2011 I set up my own wine business (The Bespoke London Wine Company Limited) acting as a "bespoke broker" that acts as a link between producers looking to expand their exports into the UK, and UK merchants who are looking for new wines to add to their list. The busines traded with a broad cross section of clients from large retailers like Marks and Spencer to specialist indepent wine merchants such as Robersons Fine Wine and The Vintner. The Vintner then hired me in a buying capacity as a consultant before taking me on full time.The Bespoke Wine Company acts on behalf of producers looking to expand their exports in the UK and suppliers looking for the right products for their market. It develops business with UK wine merchants who are looking for new wines to add to their list. It also acts as the UK agent for particular wineries who want to promote their own brand / winery in the UK market. We work with wineries that we feel offer fantastic consistency across their range, great wine-making skills and exceptional quality at a competitive price. “Tailored products for selected customers”We offer a portfolio of wines from all over the world that we feel offer outstanding value for money. Listening to our customers needs, we set out to find and source the right wines that meet with each customers individual requirements in terms of price, origin, grape variety etc. Our customers tell us what they want and we go and source it.“World class wine with local character”After listening to both our customers needs and working in conjunction with our wine makers, the Bespoke Wine Company has set out a clear buying strategy made up of three elements:First, foremost and absolutely essential is that the wines must offer a competitive price to quality ratio.Secondly we focus on wines which offer regional identity, character and terroir.Thirdly we have a strong belief in promoting ethical sustainable businesses within the wine industry. Show less

Wine buyer, logistics manager and stock controller - Wine Purchasing, Stock control of over 200 products. Managing deliveries and supervising warehouse staff.Stock Management:Prior to setting up my business I worked for 4 years at Jascots Wine Merchants in the Purchasing Department. My main duties were wine purchasing, logistics and stock control. I also had a similar stock control role at The Vintner for 4 years until my team expanded and I trained a colleague up into the… Show more Wine buyer, logistics manager and stock controller - Wine Purchasing, Stock control of over 200 products. Managing deliveries and supervising warehouse staff.Stock Management:Prior to setting up my business I worked for 4 years at Jascots Wine Merchants in the Purchasing Department. My main duties were wine purchasing, logistics and stock control. I also had a similar stock control role at The Vintner for 4 years until my team expanded and I trained a colleague up into the role.IT Skills:I have excellent computer literacy skills (Excel, Vision, Microsoft Navigator) which I use to effectively monitor sales and distribution patterns. Show less

Owner / Manager of Record Label. Duties included:Commissioning bandsTour OrganiserEvent organiserAdministration and AccountsProduction and DesignMarketing, Advertising and Publicity.