Procurement Manager

This is a senior role that is crucial to the business's operations. The Procurement Manager will be responsible for leading and managing all procurement and supply chain activities, ensuring that the company maintains a competitive, sustainable, and resilient supply base across its wide range of own-brand manufactured parts and authorized principal brand distribution lines.

The successful candidate will oversee supplier relationships across multiple international regions, including Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the UK. They will collaborate closely with the Operations, R&D, Sales, and Finance teams to support the company’s strategic growth objectives. Reporting directly to the Group Purchasing Director, this role comes with clear accountability for delivering regular performance metrics and progress updates, ensuring that procurement activities align fully with the group's strategy and targets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement

Develop and implement the Procurement strategy aligned to the group's commercial and operational goals.

Identify and onboard new suppliers globally, with a particular focus on European and Asia-Pacific markets, to support new product launches and range expansion.

Lead sourcing activity for own-brand manufactured components, including raw materials and finished goods.

Manage the procurement of authorised principal brand products from the company's key distribution partners and OEM suppliers.

Support the R&D and product development teams with sourcing for new product ranges across 33+ product categories.

Report regularly to the Group Purchasing Director on key procurement metrics, including cost savings achieved, supplier performance, spend under management, stock availability, and progress against strategic purchasing objectives; prepare clear, accurate reporting on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis as required.

Supplier Relationship Management

Build, maintain and develop strong relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers, both domestically and internationally.

Conduct regular supplier reviews, negotiate pricing, terms and rebate structures to ensure best value.

Manage supplier performance through KPIs including on-time delivery, quality compliance and lead times.

Identify and mitigate supply chain risk, implementing dual-sourcing strategies where appropriate.

Cost & Commercial Management

Drive cost reduction initiatives and purchasing efficiencies without compromising product quality or supply security.

Monitor market pricing trends for commercial vehicle components and raw materials and report commercially relevant intelligence to the Group Purchasing Director.

Manage purchase pricing across the product portfolio, ensuring margin integrity and competitiveness.

Collaborate with Finance on budget management, forecasting and cost of goods reporting.

Inventory & Supply Chain Operations

Work closely with the warehouse, logistics and sales teams to optimise stock levels and inventory turn across the UK distribution centre.

Support effective demand planning processes to reduce stockouts and excess inventory.

Coordinate with group subsidiaries across Europe to align procurement activity and leverage group-wide volumes & network optimisation.

Ensure compliance with import/export regulations, managing documentation for shipments from international suppliers.

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, manage and develop the purchasing team, setting clear objectives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Mentor buyers and support their professional development.

Drive cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Operations, R&D and Finance to ensure purchasing decisions support the wider business.

Systems & Compliance

Maintain accurate purchasing records within the company's ERP/stock management systems.

Ensure all procurement activity complies with group policies, ethical sourcing standards and relevant legislation.

Support sustainability and responsible sourcing initiatives in line with the group's wider environmental and ethical commitments.

Person Specification

Essential

Proven experience (5+ years) in a purchasing or procurement management role, ideally within the automotive, commercial vehicle, industrial components or manufacturing sector.

Demonstrated track record of managing international supply chains, including sourcing from Asia (particularly China) and Europe.

Strong negotiation skills with the ability to manage complex, multi-line supplier contracts.

Experience managing procurement of own-brand manufactured products as well as distribution of principal/OEM branded lines.

Commercially astute with solid understanding of cost modelling, landed costs and margin management.

Proficiency with ERP/stock management systems and strong working knowledge of Excel.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively manage and develop a team, building relationships at all levels.

Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Desirable

CIPS qualified (or working towards) or equivalent procurement qualification.

Experience within the commercial vehicle, heavy transport or automotive components aftermarket sector.

Experience working within a group or multi-site business, coordinating procurement across multiple entities.

Familiarity with private label/white-label product sourcing and development.

Experience working in a listed company and the reporting expectations that entails.

What We Offer

An exciting period of growth and international expansion following a major strategic acquisition.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Company pension scheme.

Opportunity to work across a multi-national group with sites across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Collaborative, experienced team in a specialist niche with a strong and growing global brand