Purchasing Manager TLNT1_NI in Dungannon

RP Group is looking for an experienced and commercially focused Purchasing Manager to lead our purchasing function and manage a team of three. This is a hands-on management role, combining leadership of the purchasing team with direct responsibility for supplier management, order placement, international sourcing, stock control and the ongoing development of our supply chain.

The successful candidate will ensure RP Group purchases the right products, at the right price, in the right quantities and at the right time, while maintaining the quality and service levels required by our customers. With an established international supply chain, you will have direct involvement in managing key overseas suppliers across Europe and Asia, including order placement, production schedules, shipping requirements and supplier performance. You will work closely with Sales, Production, Warehouse and senior management to improve product availability, purchasing performance, stock efficiency and overall business profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop a purchasing team of three
• Manage workloads and priorities across the purchasing department
• Ensure purchasing requirements and outstanding orders are managed effectively by the team
• Remain actively involved in day-to-day purchasing and order placement
• Raise, place and manage purchase orders with key UK and international suppliers
• Review stock levels, demand and requirements to determine appropriate order quantities and timing
• Ensure purchase orders are accurate in relation to products, quantities, pricing and agreed terms
• Monitor outstanding purchase orders, production schedules and expected delivery dates
• Proactively follow up suppliers to ensure agreed delivery dates are achieved
• Manage international orders from initial placement through production, shipment and delivery
• Maintain accurate expected delivery information and communicate potential shortages or delays internally
• Coordinate purchasing requirements with freight and logistics arrangements where required
• Identify opportunities to consolidate international orders and shipments
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, minimum order quantities and commercial agreements
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers
• Monitor and improve supplier performance across price, quality, delivery and service
• Identify and develop new suppliers across the UK, Europe and Asia
• Benchmark existing suppliers against alternative manufacturers and sources
• Challenge supplier price increases and negotiate improved commercial terms
• Analyse stock levels, purchasing patterns and demand to improve inventory efficiency
• Work to reduce shortages, excess stock and slow-moving inventory
• Support the sourcing and development of new products and product ranges
• Resolve supplier quality, delivery and commercial issues
• Report on purchasing performance, supplier performance and key supply-chain issues to senior management
• Continuously improve purchasing processes and performance across the department

International Purchasing & Supply Chain

A significant element of this role is the management of RP Group's international purchasing and supply chain. The Purchasing Manager will retain direct responsibility for key overseas suppliers and orders while ensuring the wider purchasing team effectively manages day-to-day requirements.

Responsibilities will include:

• Placing and managing orders directly with international manufacturers
• Confirming pricing, quantities, specifications and production lead times
• Monitoring production progress against agreed schedules
• Planning purchasing around longer international lead times
• Coordinating order consolidation and shipment planning
• Working with freight and logistics providers where required
• Maintaining visibility of incoming international stock
• Identifying potential supply-chain risks before they impact customers
• Developing alternative and secondary sources of supply
• Visiting suppliers and attending relevant trade exhibitions where appropriate

Team Management

As Purchasing Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and development of our three-person purchasing team. You will ensure responsibilities are clearly allocated, priorities are understood and orders are progressed effectively. We are looking for a manager who is willing to lead from within the team providing direction and support while remaining personally involved in purchasing activity and key supplier relationships.

Strategic Purchasing & Supplier Development

Alongside the day-to-day management of purchasing, you will be expected to continually challenge and improve how RP Group sources its products. This will include identifying opportunities to:

• Reduce purchasing costs and improve margins
• Negotiate improved supplier terms
• Improve stock availability
• Reduce excess and slow-moving inventory
• Develop direct manufacturer relationships
• Identify alternative suppliers and products
• Consolidate purchasing and international shipments
• Improve lead times and supplier reliability
• Reduce supply-chain risk
• Support the development of new product ranges

About You

The successful candidate will:

• Have previous experience in purchasing, procurement, buying or supply-chain management
• Have experience managing or supervising a purchasing/procurement team
• Be a hands-on manager who is comfortable remaining involved in day-to-day purchasing
• Have strong commercial and negotiation skills
• Be confident dealing directly with suppliers and manufacturers
• Have strong organisational and leadership skills
• Understand stock management, lead times and inventory control
• Be capable of managing multiple suppliers, orders and priorities simultaneously
• Have strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Be commercially minded with a focus on cost, margin and value
• Be proactive in identifying and resolving supply issues
• Take ownership and responsibility for the overall performance of the purchasing function

Experience within manufacturing, engineering, hydraulics, industrial components or distribution would be highly desirable. Experience managing international suppliers, imports, freight or overseas manufacturing would also be advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is an important management position within RP Group for someone who can combine team leadership with hands-on purchasing and strong commercial decision-making. The Purchasing Manager will have a direct impact on:

• Product Availability
• Purchasing Costs
• Stock Levels
• Supplier Performance
• International Supply Chain
• Team Performance
• New Product Sourcing
• Business Margins

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Full-time, permanent position
• Management responsibility for an established purchasing team
• A key role within RP Group's purchasing and supply-chain operation
• Opportunity to directly influence purchasing and sourcing strategy
• Scope to develop international supplier relationships
• Opportunities for supplier visits and relevant international trade exhibitions
• Career development within an established and growing business

Apply now with your CV and a brief summary of your relevant purchasing, procurement, supply-chain and management experience.