At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement operations and manage a team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a leading engineering firm at the forefront of advanced manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous holiday, and excellent health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing company with exciting projects in automotive and aerospace.
- Qualifications: Proven procurement experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly successful, internationally recognised engineering and manufacturing business operating at the forefront of complex, high-value engineering. The business is entering an exciting period of growth and transformation, with significant new programmes, an expanding international supply base and ambitious plans across automotive, aerospace and defence.
We're seeking an Operational Procurement Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day procurement operation, leading a team of buyers and managing a significant direct and indirect spend portfolio. You'll be responsible for ensuring the business has the right suppliers, at the right cost, quality and delivery performance, whilst developing the procurement capability to support continued growth.
As the wider business evolves towards a Group procurement structure, there is scope for the successful individual to take on greater responsibility and play a significant role in shaping how procurement operates across the wider organisation.
Role of the Operational Procurement Manager
Reporting to the Supply Chain & Procurement Director, you'll lead the operational procurement function, managing a team of buyers and executing the procurement strategy required to support forecast demand and business growth. You'll be responsible for balancing the immediate demands of a fast-paced manufacturing environment with longer-term supplier strategy, cost reduction and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing a team of buyers and driving delivery against the company's direct procurement strategy
- Managing a significant portfolio of direct procurement spend across a complex manufacturing environment
- Researching and identifying suppliers capable of delivering the right combination of value, quality, capability and delivery
- Running tenders, evaluating bids and making recommendations based on both commercial and technical considerations
- Negotiating and agreeing contracts and monitoring supplier performance
- Conducting value-for-money reviews of existing contracts and supplier arrangements
- Ensuring security, continuity and sustainability of supply across critical products and services
- Directly managing the casting supply chain, including patterns, castings and machining
- Managing logistics associated with casting supply into machining partners where required
- Developing and implementing purchasing procedures and processes for the wider buying team
- Supporting the development of the company's supplier strategy, including the number, type and capability of suppliers required
- Developing frameworks that enable departments to understand and work effectively within budget controls
- Managing supplier quality in conjunction with the Quality team
- Ensuring regular communication and performance reviews with key suppliers
- Developing strategies to reduce purchased inventory and improve working capital
- Leading supplier selection, development and performance management across quality, delivery and cost
- Driving cost reduction and value improvement initiatives
- Supporting and resolving technical manufacturing queries and supplier non-conformances
- Working closely with Engineering and suppliers on concurrent engineering and DFM opportunities to improve manufacturability and lead times
- Providing procurement input and support into production planning activities
- Managing external and internal expediting where required
- Working closely with Finance to resolve commercial and invoicing issues
- Developing departmental strategies to improve procurement efficiency and operating performance
Ideal Operational Procurement Manager
We're looking for an experienced procurement professional who combines strong commercial capability with the leadership skills and resilience to thrive in a fast-moving manufacturing environment. You will likely bring:
- Extensive and proven procurement experience within a complex manufacturing or engineering environment
- Experience leading a procurement team, or the capability and ambition to step into a broader procurement leadership position
- Strong sourcing experience, particularly across castings, machining and engineered components
- Strong ERP/MRP experience and understanding of purchasing processes
- Proven experience in supplier selection, development and performance management
- Strong negotiation and contract management capability
- Experience delivering cost reduction and value-for-money initiatives
- The ability to manage supplier performance across quality, delivery, cost and risk
- Experience with expediting and managing supply issues in a demanding manufacturing environment
- An understanding of production planning, engineering and manufacturing processes
- Experience working collaboratively with Engineering and suppliers on DFM and lead-time reduction
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to make sound business decisions
- Resilience and the ability to remain effective when working under pressure
- The confidence to operate autonomously, make decisions and work through ambiguity
- A proactive, hands-on approach with a genuine desire to improve the way procurement operates
The Person
This is not a role for someone who wants to sit at arm's length from the operation. The environment is fast-paced, demanding and highly hands-on, and the successful individual will need to be comfortable rolling their sleeves up, getting into the detail and taking ownership when things don't go to plan.
You'll be the person who can take a supplier escalation and say "I've got this", giving confidence to the wider business while also developing your team to become more capable and self-sufficient. We're looking for someone who is commercially sharp, resilient, ambitious and hungry to make a difference. Automotive or motorsport experience is not essential. Strong procurement professionals from aerospace, defence, precision engineering, industrial manufacturing and other complex engineering environments could be highly relevant.
What matters most is your ability to understand complex manufacturing, manage suppliers, lead people and operate commercially in an environment where priorities can change quickly.
Benefits
Alongside the opportunity to join a growing and highly successful engineering business working on some of the most demanding programmes in advanced manufacturing, the company offers an excellent employee proposition including:
- Salary of c65,000
- Flexible working after probation, including 1 day per week from home
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service
- Enhanced pension contributions
- Private BUPA healthcare
- Dental scheme
- Employee Share Trust participation
- EV car salary sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- On-site canteen
- Career development and talent acceleration programmes
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Financial planning support
- Volunteering opportunities
- Sabbatical opportunities after qualifying service
- Generous family-friendly policies
- Life assurance
Operational Procurement Manager in Reading 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Procurement Manager in Reading
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Procurement Heads.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Procurement Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Procurement Heads:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Procurement Heads. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Procurement Heads.
How to prepare for a job interview at Procurement Heads
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Procurement Heads!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Procurement Heads. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Procurement Heads's culture.
