Overview
In this role you will lead a hands-on procurement operation within a high-value engineering and manufacturing business. You’ll manage a buyers’ team and shape direct and indirect spend to secure the right suppliers at optimal cost, quality and delivery. The role supports growth, drives cost reduction and supplier capability, and offers scope to influence procurement across the wider organisation as the business evolves. You will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, Quality and Operations to enable scalable procurement performance.
Pay / Benefits
- Flexible working after probation
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Private BUPA healthcare
- Employee Share Trust participation
- EV car salary sacrifice scheme
Responsibilities
- Lead a team of buyers and deliver against direct procurement strategy
- Manage a large direct procurement spend portfolio in a complex manufacturing setting
- Identify and qualify suppliers delivering value, quality, capability and timely delivery
- Run tenders, evaluate bids and advise on commercial and technical outcomes
- Negotiate contracts and monitor supplier performance
- Conduct value-for-money reviews of contracts and supplier arrangements
- Ensure secure and sustainable supply for critical products/services
- Directly manage casting supply chain and related manufacturing logistics
- Develop and implement purchasing procedures for the buying team
- Contribute to supplier strategy development and budget-aligned supplier planning
- Align procurement activities with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning and Operations
- Lead cost reduction and value improvement initiatives
- Support and resolve technical manufacturing issues and supplier non-conformances
- Collaborate with Engineering on DFM and lead-time reduction initiatives
- Provide procurement input to production planning and expediting as needed
- Partner with Finance to resolve invoicing issues and improve processes
- Develop departmental strategies to improve procurement efficiency
- Communicate with key suppliers and conduct regular performance reviews
- Manage supplier quality with Quality team
Key requirements
- Extensive procurement experience in complex manufacturing or engineering
- Experience leading a procurement team or capability to step into leadership
- Strong sourcing across castings, machining and engineered components
- ERP/MRP experience and understanding of purchasing processes
- Proven supplier selection, development and performance management
- Strong negotiation and contract management能力
- Track record of cost reduction and value-for-money initiatives
- Ability to manage supplier performance across quality, delivery, cost and risk
- Experience with expediting and handling supplier issues in manufacturing
- Understanding of production planning, engineering and manufacturing processes
- Experience collaborating with Engineering on DFM and lead-time reduction
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Commercial acumen and sound decision-making under pressure
- Autonomous, decisive and comfortable working through ambiguity
- Hands-on approach and willingness to roll up sleeves
- Stakeholder management
- Resilience under pressure
- Influence and relationship-building
- ERP/MRP proficiency
- Contract negotiation and management
- Supplier development and performance management
Operational Procurement Manager employer: Procurement Heads
Join a forward-thinking global industrial technology and machinery business that values innovation and transformation. With a dynamic work culture that encourages problem-solving and strategic thinking, you'll have the chance to shape global sourcing strategies and build impactful supplier partnerships. Located in Berkshire, UK, this role offers significant travel opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and a matched pension scheme, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful career growth.
