Purchasing Manager

The opportunity has arisen to join an industry leader in the UK’s Building Services sector. Alternative Heat design, develop and deliver a wide range of offsite-prefabricated, innovative, and sustainable building service solutions throughout the UK & Europe. We specialise in the design, supply, and installation of a wide range of prefabricated energy solutions, typically built in NI and shipped throughout the UK & Europe. We also offer turnkey design, build, and operate solutions for commercial energy centres and large-scale district heating solutions and have experience with successfully procuring and delivering many similar packages to a wide range of public bodies throughout the UK & Europe.

Due to continued growth, we are looking to integrate a Purchasing Manager to support our growing procurement team in our Birmingham Office. This post is a permanent contract. It is an amazing opportunity for a candidate that wants to gain experience with a progressive and dynamic company to further your career.

The Purchasing Manager will play a key role in managing a company's procurement strategy and ensuring cost-effective and timely acquisition of goods and services for live projects. They will work closely with the procurement team to oversee the procurement process of goods and services essential for the organization’s operations, and the accounts departments to ensure the smooth transition of all purchase orders from initial request for goods through to ordering and final stages of invoicing.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a purchasing team. Provide guidance and support as required. Delegate tasks and monitor team performance. Ensure staff are trained in procurement best practices.
• Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management: Identify and evaluate suppliers and vendors, and work to broaden the supply company chain. Negotiate terms, pricing, and contracts for all live projects. Manage and develop key supplier relationships. Monitor supplier performance and set KPI’s for reporting (quality, delivery times, compliance). Negotiate with suppliers to obtain best possible terms while maintaining good working relationships.
• Cost Control and Budgeting: Manage procurement budgets and keep project managers updated on performance. Analyse spending trends and identify cost-saving opportunities. Analyze supplier pricing data and ensure competitiveness.
• Process Improvement and Reporting: Work to develop and refine internal procurement policies and procedures. Use internal procurement software system for data tracking and automation. Generate regular reports for management (e.g., cost savings, supplier performance, project performance). Maintain accurate purchasing records, reports and supplier data.
• Purchasing Operations: Oversee the procurement process, including purchase orders creation and order approvals. Develop and maintain systems to manage internal material tracking to ensure all materials are delivered within the agreed timeframe for the project programme. Coordinate with internal departments to confirm specifications and needs. Develop and implement robust procedures in order to record and report on department KPIs and improve department performance. Ensure there is consistency of service from the team for all internal and external stakeholders. Manage a high and fast-paced workload of purchasing requirements by sourcing materials using a wide range of vendors.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum of 5 years previous experience in a senior procurement role.
• Proven experience managing a busy purchasing team, including the ability to lead, develop and motivate, in order to meet client requirements and meet company targets.
• Effective managerial skills and in-depth knowledge of procurement processes & supply chain management and interpersonal style.
• Proven skills in negotiation and supply chain interaction.
• Ability to generate and manage workloads to achieve targets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building and maintaining positive relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with excellent attention to detail.

Desired Criteria:

• Possess a relevant qualification in Supply Chain/Procurement discipline.
• Management of large material ordering including drawing off as required.
• Previous experience of using Viewpoint for Projects (4P).
• Demonstrable experience of the management of mechanical / electrical material ordering.
• Detail orientated, highly organized with the ability to work to deadlines.

Benefits

• Full in-house training and career development opportunities.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Full access to smart wellbeing platform.
• Annual flu vaccine.
• Free annual health check during working hours.
• Annual leave increasing in line with length of service.
• Lavish Long service awards.
• Generously funded social events organised for all employees throughout the year via our Social and Wellbeing committee.
• Electric vehicle charging ports.
• Full access to car emergency kit.
• Annual Christmas raffle.
• Yearly allowance for AH Branded clothing merchandise.
• Secure, free onsite parking.
• Dedicated departmental budget allocated annually for team building events during working hours.
• Free Barista Style Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Tea, and Fruit provided daily.
• Friendly and supportive working environment in state-of-the-art facilities.