Purchasing Manager in Erith

Senior Purchasing Manager – Mandarin Speaking

About the Role

Freshasia Foods is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Senior Purchasing Manager – Mandarin Speaking to lead and develop our Purchasing Department.

Reporting directly to the General Manager and Company Director, this role will take ownership of the purchasing function, including procurement strategy, supplier relationships, new product sourcing, cost control, team development, and supply chain improvement.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting business growth by developing strong supplier partnerships, improving purchasing efficiency, controlling costs, and ensuring reliable product availability.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Purchasing & Procurement
• Lead and manage the Purchasing Department and oversee daily procurement activities.
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies to support company growth and profitability.
• Manage the full purchasing process, including supplier sourcing, quotations, negotiations, contracts, purchase orders, and delivery performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profitability.
• Provide purchasing recommendations, supplier updates, and market insights to senior management.
• Monitor market trends, supplier developments, and new product opportunities.
• Supplier Management & Negotiation
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop new supplier relationships locally and internationally.
• Review supplier qualifications, capability, quality standards, commercial terms, and compliance requirements.
• Negotiate supplier agreements including pricing, payment terms, minimum order quantities, lead times, and service levels.
• Review and manage supplier contracts and commercial agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance including quality, cost, delivery, and reliability.
• Attend supplier meetings, exhibitions, and industry events to identify new opportunities.
• New Product Development & Sourcing
• Identify and source new products and suppliers to support business growth.
• Research market trends and customer requirements.
• Arrange product samples and coordinate internal product evaluations.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Quality, and Operations teams on new product development.
• Manage product costing, specifications, packaging requirements, supplier approval, and launch processes.
• Support the development and maintenance of product catalogues.
• Existing Product Purchasing & Cost Control
• Manage purchasing activities for existing products, ingredients, packaging materials, and operational supplies.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers.
• Ensure product availability while achieving competitive purchasing costs.
• Review supplier pricing and negotiate improvements.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and support margin improvement.
• Conduct regular product cost and profit reviews.
• Purchasing Team Leadership
• Build, manage, and develop the Purchasing team.
• Recruit, train, coach, and support purchasing team members.
• Develop department structures, procedures, training materials, and job responsibilities.
• Set team objectives and monitor performance against departmental targets.
• Encourage continuous improvement and efficient working practices.
• Supply Chain & Stock Management
• Work closely with Warehouse, Operations, Sales, and Finance teams to ensure effective supply planning.
• Monitor stock levels, purchasing requirements, and supplier deliveries.
• Support inventory optimisation and reduce risks of shortages or excess stock.
• Improve purchasing and supply chain processes.
• Ensure smooth supply continuity to support business operations.
• Commercial & Financial Management
• Manage supplier expenditure and purchasing budgets.
• Analyse purchasing costs, supplier performance, and market trends.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability through procurement strategies.
• Prepare purchasing reports and recommendations for senior management.
• Support business planning and commercial reviews.

Requirements

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a Senior Purchasing Manager, Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager, or similar senior procurement role.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in purchasing or procurement.
• Experience managing suppliers and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Previous experience leading and developing a purchasing team.
• Industry Experience

Experience in one or more of the following sectors is preferred

• Food manufacturing
• FMCG
• Food import/export
• Food wholesale or distribution

Experience managing international suppliers, particularly Asian suppliers, is highly desirable.

Language Requirements

Essential

• Fluent Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written)
• Fluent English (spoken and written)

Additional language skills are advantageous.

Desirable Skills

• International sourcing experience.
• Knowledge of import/export procedures and international logistics.
• Understanding of food safety requirements and supplier compliance.
• Experience using ERP or purchasing systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and data analysis skills.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Success in this role will be measured by

• Purchasing cost savings achieved.
• Supplier performance and reliability.
• Product availability and supply continuity.
• Inventory optimisation.
• Successful introduction of new products.
• Supplier quality and compliance.
• Purchasing team development and performance.
• Contribution to company profitability.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Senior management role reporting directly to the General Manager and Company Director.
• Opportunity to influence purchasing strategy within a growing food manufacturing business.
• Professional and supportive working environment.
• Career development opportunities.
• #J-18808-Ljbffr