Purchasing Supervisor

Job Description

Purchasing Supervisor Ipswich | Hybrid Working | Competitive Salary + Bonus

Location: Ipswich
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Working Pattern: Hybrid (2 days remote / 3 days office-based)
Salary: Competitive + Performance Bonus

Benefits Package

• Life Insurance
• Income Protection Insurance
• Private Healthcare
• Gym Membership
• Free On-Site Parking
• Company Pension Scheme
• Annual & Quarterly Performance Bonus
• 20 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (increasing with service)
• Christmas Shutdown

Supply Chain | Procurement | Supplier Management | Team Leadership | ERP | Demand Planning

Are you the kind of person who gets oddly excited by a perfectly organised spreadsheet, a supplier delivering on time, and a procurement process that actually works? Then keep reading.

We’re looking for a proactive, commercially minded Purchasing Supervisor to help take our high-performing procurement team to the next level. This is a fast-paced role where no two days are the same — one minute you’re solving supply chain issues, the next you’re negotiating with suppliers, reviewing KPIs, mentoring team members, or preventing someone from ordering the wrong thing for the third time this week.

Working closely with the Purchasing Manager, you’ll play a key role in developing people, improving processes, strengthening supplier relationships, and helping shape the future of the purchasing function.

If you enjoy leadership, problem-solving, procurement strategy, and keeping plates spinning without dropping them, you’ll fit right in.

What You’ll Be Doing

Procurement & Supply Chain

• Managing daily purchasing and procurement activities
• Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships
• Monitoring supplier performance, lead times, and service levels
• Supporting demand planning and forecasting with sales teams and suppliers
• Participating in pricing reviews and negotiations
• Managing ERP updates and procurement data accuracy
• Reviewing KPIs, spend analysis, and non-conformance reporting
• Conducting process audits and driving continuous improvement initiatives

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervising and supporting members of the purchasing team
• Coaching, mentoring, and training colleagues
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning
• Bringing emotional intelligence, positivity, and common sense to leadership
• Leading by example

What We’re Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in:
  • Purchasing
  • Procurement
  • Supply Chain
  • Senior Buyer or Supervisory roles
• Strong supplier management and negotiation skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (bonus points if you actually enjoy pivot tables)
• ERP system knowledge
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail
• A proactive, “can-do” attitude with leadership potential

Desirable

• CIPS Level 4 qualified (or willing to work towards it)
• Experience coaching or developing teams
• Commercial awareness and strategic thinking
• Ability to stay calm when everyone suddenly decides something is “urgent”