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- Tasks: Lead procurement and planning to ensure timely, cost-effective delivery of materials.
- Company: Join Externiture, a fast-growing leader in sustainable transport infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, health support, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on UK transport while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: CIPS Level 5 or equivalent, strong negotiation skills, and experience in scheduling.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for training and leadership development.
The predicted salary is between 41000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Thatcham, Berkshire
ÂŁ48,000 (DOE) + Excellent Benefits
CIPS-qualified. Supply chain savvy. LEAN-thinking.
If that’s you, this role is your next big step.
Externiture is seeking a Procurement & Planning Manager to join our team in Thatcham, Berkshire. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious professional with strong procurement, supply chain, and scheduling experience to play a pivotal role in how we deliver high‑quality, sustainable transport infrastructure across the UK.
About the Role
You will lead our procurement, supply chain, and production scheduling functions. This is a pivotal role ensuring cost‑effective, timely, and high‑quality supply of materials and services to support our continued growth.
You’ll be responsible for developing procurement strategies, managing supplier relationships, optimising our MRP system, and embedding LEAN principles across procurement and scheduling. Working closely with our Operations, Production, and Delivery teams, you’ll ensure smooth project delivery while driving efficiency and value through the supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & MRP
- Develop and manage procurement strategies to achieve best value, quality, and on‑time delivery.
- Negotiate with suppliers and manage contracts.
- Oversee the full procurement cycle including supplier selection, tendering, ordering, and delivery.
- Optimise and maintain the MRP system for accurate demand planning and inventory control.
- Monitor supplier KPIs (cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness) and drive continuous improvement.
Planning
- Own and maintain the Master Production Schedule.
- Develop and manage weekly, monthly, and quarterly production plans.
- Lead weekly planning meetings with Production, Delivery, and Sales Admin teams.
- Implement LEAN scheduling practices to optimise resources and reduce waste.
- Provide forward visibility on capacity and lead times to support customer commitments.
Continuous Improvement
- Embed LEAN thinking into procurement and scheduling processes.
- Lead supplier development initiatives.
- Manage and develop direct reports.
- Support operational initiatives to improve procurement, MRP usage, and scheduling.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- CIPS Level 5 or equivalent procurement qualification
- Proven procurement management experience with strong negotiation and supplier management skills
- Demonstrated experience in production scheduling and resource planning
- Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across teams
- Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and procurement software
Desirable
- Experience of applying LEAN principles in procurement, supply chain, or production environments
- Experience within manufacturing or infrastructure industries
Benefits
- ÂŁ48,000 salary (Depending on Experience)
- Company pension scheme
- Life assurance & medical expenses scheme
- Health & wellbeing support package
- Performance‑related bonus scheme
- Generous holiday allowance
- Training & development opportunities (including CIPS progression & leadership)
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 40 hours/week
Office‑based, with occasional travel to clients and suppliers as required.
A UK Leader in Public Transport Infrastructure
Externiture is a leading UK‑based designer, manufacturer and installer of public transport infrastructure. We specialise in bus and cycle shelters, bus stop infrastructure and accessories, as well as offering refurbishment and maintenance services, and civil engineering works across the UK. Additionally, we develop and operate industry‑leading software solutions that streamline data collection and planning for infrastructure management.
Based in Thatcham (Berkshire) and Glasgow, Externiture works alongside the largest County Councils and PTEs, as well as the smallest Town and Parish Councils, developers, and other organisations to provide exceptional products and services.
Our innovative business is driven by a dedicated team and a commitment to continuously improving our internal systems, software and management capabilities. We are proud of our team’s contributions which have helped us to grow our business by 200% in the last 3 years. We are a People Process and Armed Forces Covenant employer, and we are actively working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
We recently embarked on a lean transformation, following the principles of Paul Akers’ Two‑Second Lean, to drive a culture of Continuous Improvement through every aspect of our company.
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Procurement and Planning Manager employer: Externiture Limited
Contact Detail:
Externiture Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement and Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement and planning space. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Externiture and their projects. Understand their approach to LEAN principles and how they manage supplier relationships. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves managing contracts and supplier negotiations, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your strategies effectively during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that Procurement and Planning Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement and Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your CIPS Qualification: Make sure to highlight your CIPS Level 5 or equivalent qualification right at the start. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but also ready to bring your procurement expertise to the table!
Tailor Your Experience: When you’re writing about your experience, focus on procurement management and production scheduling. Use specific examples that demonstrate your negotiation skills and how you've optimised supply chains in the past. We love a good story!
Emphasise LEAN Thinking: Since we’re all about efficiency, don’t forget to mention any experience you have with LEAN principles. Share how you’ve implemented these practices in previous roles to drive continuous improvement – it’ll definitely catch our eye!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Externiture Limited
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement strategies and supplier management skills. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've negotiated contracts or improved supplier relationships in the past. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Show Off Your LEAN Thinking
Since the role emphasises LEAN principles, come prepared with examples of how you've implemented LEAN practices in previous roles. Talk about any successes you've had in optimising processes or reducing waste, as this will demonstrate your fit for the position.
✨Master the MRP System
Familiarise yourself with MRP systems and be ready to discuss how you've used them for demand planning and inventory control. If you can share insights on how you've optimised these systems in the past, it’ll definitely give you an edge in the interview.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role requires strong collaboration across teams, so think of examples where you've successfully worked with different departments. Highlight your communication skills and how you've led planning meetings or driven initiatives that required teamwork. This will show that you can thrive in a collaborative environment.
