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- Tasks: Manage the full purchasing lifecycle and drive supplier performance in a technical environment.
- Company: Join a leading engineering team in Hailsham, specialising in advanced materials.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private health insurance, and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, optimise costs, and make a real impact in manufacturing.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within technical manufacturing and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Occasional travel within the UK and internationally is expected.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Hailsham, East Sussex
Job Type: Permanent
Start Date: Immediate
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Holiday Entitlement: 25 days + Bank Holidays
Salary: £60 - £65K + Private Health Insurance
Are you a commercially driven procurement professional with a strong technical background? We are currently seeking a Strategic Purchasing Manager to join our engineering team in Hailsham. This is a hands-on role managing the full purchasing lifecycle, driving supplier performance, sourcing strategies, and cost optimisation for highly technical machinery used in the advanced materials industry.
As Strategic Purchasing Manager, you'll be responsible for understanding technical specifications and engineering drawings, sourcing parts globally, managing supplier relationships, and negotiating pricing and lead times to ensure timely, high-quality, and cost-effective delivery of materials and components. You'll play a vital role in procurement strategy, cost reduction, and ensuring efficient product delivery in a high-spec manufacturing environment. The Strategic Purchasing Manager will work closely with engineering, production, and finance teams to ensure all supply chain activities align with project and customer requirements. Occasional UK and short international travel is expected.
Key responsibilities:
- Manage end-to-end procurement process from specification through to delivery.
- Source globally, analyse cost, manage supplier relationships, and track performance.
- Interpret engineering drawings and support re-engineering for cost/value optimisation.
- Negotiate cost-effective contracts while maintaining product quality standards.
- Monitor supplier performance, order progress, and ensure timely material delivery.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in a similar procurement role within a technical manufacturing environment.
- Strong technical understanding of components, materials, and processes.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to read technical drawings and work cross-functionally under pressure.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel globally as needed.
Strategic Purchasing Manager in Hailsham employer: Terry Parris Associates
Contact Detail:
Terry Parris Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Purchasing Manager in Hailsham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the advanced materials industry and the specific technical components relevant to the role. Understanding the nuances of the machinery and materials will not only boost your confidence but also help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in procurement and engineering sectors, especially those who have experience in strategic purchasing. Attend industry events or join online forums to gain insights and potentially get referrals that could lead to an interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and past successes in supplier management. Be ready to provide examples of how you've optimised costs while maintaining quality, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's values and culture to align your approach during the interview. Showing that you understand our mission and how you can contribute to our goals will make a strong impression on the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Purchasing Manager in Hailsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement and technical manufacturing. Emphasise your skills in managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and understanding engineering drawings.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your commercial drive and technical background. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed the purchasing lifecycle and contributed to cost optimisation in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills. Provide examples of how you've used these skills to achieve results in a high-spec manufacturing environment.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Express your passion for the role of Strategic Purchasing Manager and the advanced materials industry. Demonstrating genuine interest can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Terry Parris Associates
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
As a Strategic Purchasing Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of technical specifications and engineering drawings. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully interpreted technical documents and how that impacted procurement decisions.
✨Highlight Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is key in this role. Prepare to share instances where you've negotiated contracts or pricing with suppliers. Discuss the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved, focusing on how you maintained quality while optimising costs.
✨Emphasise Supplier Relationship Management
Talk about your experience in managing supplier relationships. Be ready to explain how you've tracked supplier performance and what metrics you used to ensure timely delivery and quality standards. This will show your ability to maintain strong partnerships.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with engineering, production, and finance teams, be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated across departments in previous roles. Highlight any challenges faced and how you overcame them to align supply chain activities with project requirements.
