Manufacturing Procurement Specialist in St Leonards

Location: Hastings, East Sussex

Contract: Full‑time, Permanent

Hours: 40 per week

Overview: We are looking for a Manufacturing Procurement Specialist to join our team and play a pivotal role in strengthening our supply chain. In this position, you will ensure our production teams have the high‑quality materials they need—on time, on budget, and to specification. You will collaborate closely with approved suppliers, internal stakeholders, and operational teams to source components, negotiate competitive terms, and maintain a reliable flow of goods across the business.

Kurt J. Lesker Company (KJLC) is a global leader in advanced manufacturing, delivering high-performance vacuum products and systems that power innovation across semiconductor, aerospace, medical, and optical industries. With over 70 years of expertise, we’re trusted by some of the world’s most critical sectors to support the development of next‑generation technologies. We’re proud to be recognised for our commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and a workplace culture that values excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Create and issue purchase orders to satisfy sales order, production order, and stocking requirements.
• Respond to price and delivery requests for non‑stocked items as required by the Production Team, Engineering and Product Specialist.
• Evaluate stocking levels based on historical transactions/usage to calibrate the inventory required to satisfy production, looking ahead to react to market conditions of niche products to drive competitive lead times.
• Negotiate with new and existing suppliers to create the best situation for KJLC including product price, lead time, quality, and packaging.
• Perform vendor onsite audits, inspections, and negotiations.
• Utilise inventory management and purchasing programs where possible, such as JIT, MRP and E‑commerce.
• Coordinate Supply Chain efforts with associated Product Specialists & Material Control to maximise value to KJLC.
• Maintain the item master for assigned products, particularly the purchase price, cost price, and lead time fields.
• Maintain the accuracy of the purchase order delivery dates.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with the assigned suppliers.
• Deliver performance feedback to the suppliers regarding quality, on‑time deliveries, and customer service satisfaction.
• Review the Market for new suppliers, new processes, and contingency for Niche supply to drive the production team forwards.
• Manage the Production Consumable Spend, drive discounts and stocking policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Ability to read technical drawings with confidence and accuracy.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Manufacturing Principles & Processes.
• Perform duties in a logical, timely, orderly and skillful manner.
• Demonstrate knowledge of managing a vendor, safety stocks, stocking levels, shipping methods, shipping terms, payment terms, insurance requirements, quantity breaks, delivery, blanket orders, packing and labelling.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in experience.
• Experience and/or education in procurement and inventory management.
• Working knowledge of computer programs for word processing, email, and spreadsheets.
• Working knowledge of purchasing techniques including RFQs, blanket orders and product demand discounts that improve strategic costing capabilities.
• Driving License required.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.
• Matched pension up to 5%.
• Health Cash Plan offering £600 per annum towards your standard healthcare costs for both you and your family, plus access to a free 24‑hour doctor service.
• Income protection insurance.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay.
• Discounted Gym Membership.
• Corporate, wellness and charity events throughout the year with the option to earn an extra day of annual leave.
• Fully funded training/qualification.

Kurt J. Lesker Company Ltd is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Applicants who require reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process are encouraged to contact us in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.