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- Tasks: Manage the full purchasing lifecycle and drive supplier performance in a hands-on role.
- Company: Join a dynamic engineering team in Hailsham, focused on advanced materials.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private health insurance, and potential for remote work.
- Why this job: Be part of a vital procurement strategy that impacts high-spec manufacturing and global sourcing.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in procurement with strong technical understanding and negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Occasional UK and international travel is expected.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Hailsham, East Sussex
Job Type: Permanent
Start Date: Immediate
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Holiday Entitlement: 25 days + Bank Holidays
Salary: TBC + Private Health Insurance
Are you a commercially driven procurement professional with a strong technical background? We are currently seeking a Strategic Purchasing Manager to join our engineering team in Hailsham. This is a hands-on role managing the full purchasing lifecycle, driving supplier performance, sourcing strategies, and cost optimisation for highly technical machinery used in the advanced materials industry.
As Strategic Purchasing Manager, you will be responsible for understanding technical specifications and engineering drawings, sourcing parts globally, managing supplier relationships, and negotiating pricing and lead times to ensure timely, high-quality, and cost-effective delivery of materials and components. You will play a vital role in procurement strategy, cost reduction, and ensuring efficient product delivery in a high-spec manufacturing environment. The Strategic Purchasing Manager will work closely with engineering, production, and finance teams to ensure all supply chain activities align with project and customer requirements. Occasional UK and short international travel is expected.
Key responsibilities:
- Manage end-to-end procurement process from specification through to delivery.
- Source globally, analyse cost, manage supplier relationships, and track performance.
- Interpret engineering drawings and support re-engineering for cost/value optimisation.
- Negotiate cost-effective contracts while maintaining product quality standards.
- Monitor supplier performance, order progress, and ensure timely material delivery.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in a similar procurement role within a technical manufacturing environment.
- Strong technical understanding of components, materials, and processes.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to read technical drawings and work cross-functionally under pressure.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel globally as needed.
Strategic Purchasing Manager employer: Terry Parris Associates
Contact Detail:
Terry Parris Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Purchasing Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the advanced materials industry and the specific technical components relevant to the role. Understanding the nuances of the products you'll be sourcing will give you an edge in discussions and negotiations.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in procurement and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals for the Strategic Purchasing Manager position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with supplier relationship management and negotiation strategies. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've optimised costs or improved supplier performance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's values and mission. Tailoring your approach to align with our company culture can make a significant difference in how you present yourself during any interviews or networking opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Purchasing Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, especially within a technical manufacturing environment. Emphasise your skills in managing supplier relationships and negotiating contracts.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and how your background aligns with the responsibilities. Mention specific examples of your achievements in cost optimisation and supplier management.
Highlight Technical Skills: Since the role requires a strong technical background, ensure you mention your ability to interpret engineering drawings and your familiarity with components and materials relevant to the advanced materials industry.
Showcase Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, highlight your negotiation, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked cross-functionally under pressure in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Terry Parris Associates
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
As a Strategic Purchasing Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of technical specifications and engineering drawings. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully interpreted technical documents and sourced components accordingly.
✨Highlight Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is key in this role, so come armed with examples of how you've negotiated contracts in the past. Discuss the strategies you used to achieve cost-effective agreements while maintaining quality standards, as this will show your potential employer that you can handle the demands of the position.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams, including engineering, production, and finance. Be ready to share experiences where you successfully collaborated across departments to align procurement activities with project requirements, showcasing your ability to work under pressure.
✨Prepare for Questions on Supplier Management
Expect questions about how you manage supplier relationships and track performance. Prepare to discuss your approach to monitoring supplier delivery and quality, as well as any tools or metrics you use to ensure timely material delivery. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience in managing the full purchasing lifecycle.
