Speed is of the essence for grs purchasing team

It’s often the case that the most important parts of machines or organisations are those which are out of sight, hidden from view: the inner workings of the latest laptop perhaps, the engine beneath the bonnet of a sleek new car, or the distribution network that keeps the supermarkets stocked with food.
The same can definitely be said of the grs purchasing team – an unsung yet integral part of the company responsible for ensuring an efficient turnaround for vendors, as well as ensuring vehicles are available for sale to thousands of retail forecourts across the country as speedily as possible.
“We have an important role in processing every car sold by grs,” explains Tig Lockton, Purchasing Team Leader, whose first priority is to ensure a smooth and trouble-free sale for the vendor. “Our first job is to make contact with the vendor so that we can pay for the vehicles as quickly as possible and arrange for them to be collected”.
People skills are essential for every member of the purchasing team. “We build really good relationships with our vendors and get to know many of them personally. For those who have not sold vehicles to grs before, it’s important that we’re able to have a conversation with them, explain how it all works and put their minds at rest. Very quickly we’re able to build trust, which is essential”.
In addition to people skills, an eye for detail is another attribute essential for every member of the team. “Another part of our role is to gather as much information as possible about every vehicle from the vendor, including the specification, colour, mileage and condition, and then add all of this onto our system without delay.
“As soon as we do that, the vehicle is available for sale and is visible to the sales team who are talking to retailers on a daily basis, finding them cars and commercial vehicles that meet their specific needs from across our stock, which is why the information we gain from vendors is so important. For us, it’s all about accuracy and speed!”
Based in Shrewsbury, the five-strong team typically log up to 100 cars a day onto the grs sales system. They are also responsible for liaising with the grs logistics centre at Cold Meece, to let them know exactly how many vehicles will be arriving on any given day.
Asked to sum up the role of her team, Tig says: “It’s incredibly important, as we touch so many areas of the business, as well as being an important point of contact for vendors. Essentially, we’re here to make it as easy as possible for them to sell their vehicles.
“For us, the bottom line is ensuring a smooth and efficient process for the vendor, and to be as fast and accurate as we possibly can