I'm currently working an excellent Purchasing Manager role with an industry leader in the UK & Ireland’s Building Services sector. This company designs, develops and delivers a wide range of offsite-prefabricated, innovative, and sustainable building service solutions throughout the UK & Europe.
Role Overview
The Purchasing Manager will plays a key role in managing a company's procurement strategy and ensuring cost-effective and timely acquisition of goods and services for live projects.
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating an organization’s purchasing activities. This role ensures the timely procurement of quality goods and services at competitive prices while managing supplier relationships, controlling costs, and supporting operational goals.
They will work closely with the procurement team and accounts departments, to ensure the smooth transition of all purchase orders from initial request for goods through to ordering and final stages of invoicing.
Team Leadership
- Lead, train, and evaluate the purchasing team
- Mentor the purchasing team & provide guidance and support as required
- Delegate tasks and monitor team performance
- Ensure staff are trained in procurement & promote best practices / continuous improvement
Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management
- Develop and implement purchasing strategies aligned with company objectives
- Forecast material and service requirements based on production and business needs
- Identify and evaluate suppliers and vendors
- Manage and develop key supplier relationships & monitor supplier performance (quality, delivery times, compliance)
- Negotiate with suppliers to obtain best possible terms while maintaining good working relationships
Cost Control and Budgeting
- Manage procurement budgets and ensure all plant purchase are aligned commercially
- Forecast material and service requirements based on production and business needs
- Analyse spending trends and identify cost-saving opportunities
Process Improvement and Reporting
- Develop and refine procurement policies and procedures
- Use ERP or procurement systems for data tracking and automation
- Generate regular reports for management (e.g., cost savings, supplier performance)
Purchase Order Management
- Approve and issue purchase orders
- Develop and maintain systems to manage internal material tracking to ensure all materials are delivered within the agreed timeframe for the project programme
- Coordinate with internal departments to confirm specifications and needs
- Develop and implement robust procedures to record and report on department KPIs and improve department performance
- Ensure consistency of service from the team for all internal and external stakeholders
- Manage a high and fast-paced workload of purchasing requirements by sourcing materials using a wide range of vendors
What You Need to Have
- Minimum of 5 years previous experience in a senior procurement role
- Proven experience managing a busy purchasing team, including the ability to lead, develop and motivate, in order to meet client requirements and meet company targets
- Effective managerial skills and in-depth knowledge of procurement processes & supply chain management and interpersonal style
- Proven skills in negotiation and supply chain interaction
- Ability to generate and manage workloads to achieve targets
What You Would Ideally Have
- Relevant qualification in Supply Chain / Procurement discipline
- Management of large material ordering including drawing off as required
- Previous experience of using Viewpoint for Projects (4P)
- Demonstrable experience of the management of mechanical / electrical material ordering
- Detail orientated, highly organized with the ability to work to deadlines
