Purchasing Manager

Overview

Ready to lead a high-performing purchasing function in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? We’re working with a market-leading LCV conversion specialist based in Doncaster who’s looking for a commercially driven Purchasing Manager to take ownership of the purchasing team and drive supply chain performance. You’ll be responsible for securing materials, components, and subcontracted services (both in-house and external), ensuring production runs smoothly, on time, and within budget. This is a hands-on leadership role with real influence across the business, perfect for someone who thrives on building supplier relationships, improving processes, and delivering cost savings.

Responsibilities

• Secure materials, components, and subcontracted services to support production.
• Ensure production runs smoothly, on time and within budget.
• Provide hands-on leadership to the purchasing team with influence across the business.
• Focus on supplier relationships, process improvement and delivering cost savings.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven purchasing or supply chain management experience within manufacturing, automotive, engineering or LCV conversions.
• Strong understanding of machining, woodworking, fabrication and outsourced manufacturing processes.
• Experience managing and developing a purchasing team.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and supplier relationship skills.
• Strong organisational and planning capabilities with a focus on deadlines.
• Knowledge of ISO standards, quality systems and regulatory compliance (VCA desirable).
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Production, Stores, Engineering and Operations.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Purchasing Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the purchasing team to deliver a high-performing, proactive function.
• Allocate workload, set priorities and ensure purchasing activity aligns with production needs.
• Foster a culture of accuracy, urgency and commercial awareness.

• Source all parts and materials for LCV conversions on time and to specification.
• Maximise internal manufacturing capability (Machine Shop/Wood Shop) before outsourcing.
• Manage procurement from external suppliers (laser cutters, fabricators, component manufacturers).
• Maintain accurate lead times, pricing and supplier data.

• Work closely with Operations, Production and Stores to align material availability with the production plan.
• Identify supply risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support forecasting, demand planning and stock optimisation.

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Negotiate pricing, terms and service levels to achieve best value.
• Monitor supplier performance, quality and delivery reliability.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to support capacity, cost and quality improvements.

• Deliver cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality or compliance.
• Ensure accurate pricing data for BOMs and costings.
• Support budgeting and cost-tracking activities.

• Ensure all purchased materials meet specifications, standards and regulatory requirements (including VCA Type Approval where applicable).
• Support quality investigations and corrective actions related to purchased components.
• Maintain purchasing documentation in line with ISO and internal audit requirements.

• Improve purchasing processes, systems and reporting to enhance efficiency and visibility.
• Introduce structured supplier reviews, KPI tracking and purchasing dashboards.
• Support lean initiatives and continuous improvement across the supply chain.

What’s on Offer

• A key leadership role within a growing and evolving manufacturing environment.
• The opportunity to shape the purchasing function and influence operational performance.
• Competitive salary (30k to 40k) and benefits package.
• A dynamic, hands-on environment with clear opportunities for progression.

At Adept Resourcing - Commercial & Engineering, we specialise in connecting companies with top talent that drives innovation, growth and success. With our industry expertise, extensive network and personalised approach, we’re here to help you.