Purchasing Manager
Location: Norwich
Hours: 40 hours per week
Reporting to: Head of Operations
Salary: Dependent on experience
About the Role
We are looking for an organised, proactive and commercially minded Purchasing Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day purchasing function within Delta Fire.
This is a hands-on role with responsibility for purchasing, supplier management, stock availability and inbound international logistics. Working closely with Production, Sales and Finance, you will play an important role in ensuring the business has the materials and products it needs, when it needs them, while maintaining appropriate stock levels and achieving strong commercial outcomes from our supply base.
Alongside managing day-to-day purchasing activity, you will be expected to develop supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and terms, monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities to improve cost, quality, lead times and supply resilience.
As Delta Fire continues to grow, there will be an opportunity for the successful candidate to develop the purchasing function further and take increasing responsibility for our wider supply chain.
Key ResponsibilitiesPurchasing & Supplier Management
· Take ownership of day-to-day purchasing activity across UK and international suppliers.
· Place and manage purchase orders in line with stock requirements, production needs and sales demand.
· Monitor outstanding purchase orders and proactively manage suppliers to ensure agreed delivery dates are achieved.
· Develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with key suppliers.
· Negotiate supplier pricing, commercial terms and lead times to achieve best value for the business.
· Regularly review supplier pricing and identify opportunities for cost reduction and improved purchasing terms.
· Identify, assess and develop new suppliers where appropriate to improve cost, capability or supply resilience.
· Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery and service.
· Work with suppliers to address recurring performance issues and drive continuous improvement.
· Identify potential supply-chain risks and develop appropriate alternative sources or mitigation measures.
· Maintain accurate purchasing records and supplier information.
Stock & Inventory Management
· Monitor stock levels and identify current or anticipated shortages before they impact Production or customer orders.
· Raise purchase orders to maintain appropriate stock levels and support forecast demand.
· Work with Production and Sales to understand future requirements and purchasing priorities.
· Allocate available stock against sales orders where required.
· Work with relevant teams to prioritise stock allocation where supply is constrained.
· Support improvements in stock planning and inventory management.
· Help ensure the business maintains appropriate stock levels while minimising unnecessary or slow-moving inventory.
· Carry out or support physical stock checks where required and investigate discrepancies.
International Purchasing & Logistics
· Coordinate incoming international shipments from suppliers through to delivery.
· Monitor shipment progress and proactively resolve delays or other issues.
· Coordinate customs clearance and liaise with freight forwarders, customs agents and suppliers.
· Ensure appropriate documentation is available for international shipments.
· Work with suppliers and logistics partners to identify opportunities to improve freight costs and delivery performance.
· Liaise with Finance to ensure international proforma invoices and other supplier payments are processed in time to avoid disruption to orders or shipments.
Internal Communication
· Work closely with Sales to provide accurate and up-to-date supplier lead times for customer quotations and orders.
· Work closely with Production to ensure required materials and components are available when needed.
· Communicate potential delays, shortages and supply issues promptly to relevant teams.
· Provide clear updates on outstanding orders and expected delivery dates.
· Develop strong working relationships across Production, Sales, Finance and other areas of the business.
Skills & ExperienceEssential
· Previous experience within purchasing, procurement or supply chain.
· Experience managing multiple purchase orders and supplier relationships.
· Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
· Strong communication and relationship-management skills.
· Commercial awareness and confidence discussing pricing and terms with suppliers.
· Ability to proactively identify potential supply issues and take action before they affect the business.
· Strong numerical skills and commercial judgement.
· Ability to work independently, prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
· Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
Desirable
· Experience within manufacturing, engineering, distribution or another product-based business.
· Experience negotiating supplier pricing and commercial terms.
· Experience sourcing and evaluating new suppliers.
· Experience of international purchasing and importing.
· Experience with customs clearance and international freight.
· Experience working with freight forwarders and customs agents.
· Experience using Sage 50 or similar accounting / ERP software.
· Experience analysing purchasing spend or supplier performance.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:
Proactive – someone who anticipates issues, follows things through and takes ownership rather than waiting for problems to arise.
Commercially minded – someone who understands that good purchasing is about achieving the right balance between cost, quality, availability and supplier performance.
Organised – able to manage a high volume of orders, suppliers and competing priorities.
Confident – comfortable challenging suppliers, negotiating commercially and representing the interests of the business.
Reliable and thorough – understands the importance of accurate orders, stock information and delivery commitments.
A strong communicator – able to build effective relationships with suppliers and colleagues across the business.
Practical and solutions-focused – able to resolve purchasing and supply issues quickly and effectively.
Improvement-focused – someone who looks for better ways of working rather than simply maintaining existing processes.
What the Role Offers
This is an important role within Delta Fire with the opportunity to take ownership of the purchasing function and make a tangible impact on supplier performance, stock availability, purchasing costs and customer service.
The role offers significant scope to make improvements and shape how purchasing operates within the business. As Delta Fire continues to grow, we expect the purchasing and supply-chain function to develop alongside it, creating further opportunities for responsibility and career progression for the right person.
Hours: 40 hours per week
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Benefits:
· Company pension scheme
· 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
