Purchasing Manager
Role Over
v
iwThis is a senior role that is crucial to the business's operations. The Purchasing 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 l
ins.
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 andtarets.
Key
sponsiblities
Strat
e
gic Prourement• Develop and implement the purchasing strategy aligned to the group's commercial and
operationl goals.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers globally, with a particular focus on European and Asia-Pacific markets, to support new product launches
a
nd range xpansion.• Lead sourcing activity for own-brand manufactured components, including raw materia
ls and finihed goods.
• Manage the procurement of authorised principal brand products from the company's key distribution par
t
ners and OE suppliers.• Support the R&D and product development teams with sourcing for new product ranges acro
ss 33+ produc 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 q
uarterly basi as required.
Su
pplier Relatioship Management• Build, maintain and develop strong relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers, both
domestically andinternationally.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews, negotiate pricing, terms and reb
a
te structures to nsure best value.• Manage supplier performance through KPIs including on-time delive
ry, quality compliace and lead times.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risk, implementing dual
-sourcing strategie where
ap
propriate.Cost &Commercial Management
• Drive cost reduction initiatives and purchasing efficiencies without co
mpromising product qualty or supply security.
• Monitor market pricing trends for commercial vehicle components and raw materials and report commercially relevan
t
intelligence to the Grup Purchasing Director.• Manage purchase pricing across the product portfol
io, ensuring margin integity and competitiveness.
• Collaborate with Finance on budget m
anagement, forecasting an cost of
g
oods reporting.Inventoy & Supply Chain Operations
• Work closely with the warehouse, logistics and sales teams to optimise stock le
vels and inventory turn acros the UK distribution centre.
• Support effective demand
p
lanning processes to reduce sockouts and excess inventory.• Coordinate with group subsidiaries across Europe to align procurement ac
tivity and leverage group-wide olumes & network optimisation.
• Ensure compliance with import/export regulations, man
aging documentation for shipm
ens from international suppliers
Team Leadership & Development
• Lead, manage and develop the purchasing team, setti
ng
clear objectives and fostering aculture of continuous improvement.
• Mentor buyers and suport their professional development.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Operations, R
&D and Finance to en
sure purchasing ecisions support the ider business.
Systems & Compliance
• Maintai
n a
ccurate purchasing records within thecompany's ERP/stock management systems.• Ensure all procurement activity
complies with group policies, ethical soucing standards and relevant legislation.
• Support sustainability and responsible sourcin
g initiatives in lin
e with th
e group's wier environmental and thical comitments.
Person Specification
Essential
• Proven experience (5+ years) in a purchasing or procurement management role, ideal
ly w
ithin the automotive, commercial vehicle, ndustrial components or manufacturing sector.• Demonstrated track record of manag
ing international supply chains, including souring from Asia (particularly China) and Europe.
• Experience managing proc
urement of own-brand manufactured products as wel as distribution of principal/OEM branded lines.
•Commercially astute with solid understanding of cst modelling, landed costs and m
in management.
• Proficiency with ERP/stock manageent systems and strong working knowledge of Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication
s
kills, with the ability to effectively manage and dvelop a team, building relationships at all levels.• A
bility to
work independently and manage multiple pririties in fast-paced, growth-or
ien
ted environment.Desirable
• CIPS qualified (or wrking towards) or equivalent procurement qualif
ication.
• Experience within the commercial vehicle, heay transport or automotive components aftermarket sec
t
or.• Experience working within a group or multi-site buiness, coordinating
procurement across multiple entities.
• Familiarity with rivate label/white-label p
roduct sourci
ng and development.
• Experience working in alisted companyand the reporting expectations that entails.
What We Offer
• A key le
ade
rship role in Europe's largest independent specialist manufaturer in its sector, with genuine scope to shape the function.
• An exciting period
of growth and nternation
a
l expansion following a major strategicacquisition.• Competitie salary commensurate with experi
ence.
• Company pension scheme.
• Opportunity to work across a muti-national group with site<
• Collaborative, experience
