Purchasing Manager

Overview

As Purchasing Manager, you lead the international sourcing function to expand supplier networks with a focus on China and Asia. You collaborate with global teams to secure high-quality, cost-competitive machined components while ensuring delivery and supplier performance. The role drives cost reduction, supplier development, and supply chain resilience in a growing engineering business. You will shape the international procurement strategy and grow a cross-border supplier base. This senior position offers autonomy and a clear path to build a dedicated global purchasing function.

Pay / Benefits

• Healthcare cash plan
• Death in service – 2x salary
• Pension – 5% employee / 4% employer
• 31 days holiday including bank holidays
• Christmas shutdown
• International travel

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement purchasing strategies across China and wider Asia
• Identify, evaluate, audit and onboard new international suppliers
• Appoint high-performing machine shops and manufacturing partners
• Source precision machined components, engineered parts, forgings and castings
• Lead commercial negotiations including pricing and supplier terms
• Analyse manufacturing costs to reduce total acquisition costs
• Ensure suppliers meet quality, specification and delivery standards
• Develop and maintain relationships with international suppliers
• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvements
• Identify and mitigate supplier and supply chain risks
• Support inventory strategies to improve availability and cash flow
• Travel to international suppliers as needed
• Potentially build and lead a global purchasing team

Key requirements

• HNC, HND or Degree in Engineering or Technical discipline
• Mechanical engineering or technical background
• 7+ years in purchasing/procurement/supply chain/commodity management
• Experience with machine shops and precision machined components
• Knowledge of machining processes and cost/pricing
• Experience developing international supplier bases
• Excellent commercial and supplier negotiation skills
• Knowledge of metals and engineering specifications
• Understanding of total cost principles
• Supplier relationship and stakeholder management skills
• Experience with SAP or Oracle
• Commercial awareness for profitability improvements
• CIPS qualification desired
• Fluent communication across cultures

• commercial acumen
• stakeholder management
• leadership
• understanding of machining processes
• cost modelling and supplier pricing
• supplier development and audit

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