Purchasing Lead
£34,000 per annum
Monday – Friday, 8.00 to 16.00. Permanent role.
My long standing and award-winning client is seeking a Purchasing Lead to manage all purchasing activities, ensuring cost control, supplier performance, quality compliance, and material availability to support production and growth.
Candidate Profile
- 5+ years' experience in manufacturing purchasing (automotive/aerospace preferred)
- Strong negotiation and commercial skills
- MRP/ERP system experience essential
- Data-driven, organised, and proactive
- Confident working in a fast‑paced SME environment
- Strong communication and problem‑solving skills
- Proficient in MS Office
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Procurement
- Develop and deliver purchasing strategy aligned to business goals
- Drive cost reduction and value engineering initiatives
- Lead supplier negotiations (price, terms, agreements)
- Benchmark raw material pricing (stainless, inconel, aluminium, consumables)
- Support expansion into aerospace, defence, and regulated sectors
Operational Purchasing
- Manage purchase orders in line with MRP requirements
- Monitor supplier schedules and ensure on‑time delivery (OTIF)
- Expedite critical materials as needed
- Maintain accurate system data (lead times, MOQ, pricing)
Supplier Management
- Build and manage supplier relationships and performance
- Conduct supplier reviews and support corrective actions
- Identify and onboard new suppliers to reduce risk and cost
Cost & Inventory Control
- Control spend in line with budget and cash flow targets
- Negotiate payment terms and identify cost‑saving opportunities
- Optimise stock levels and reduce working capital
- Oversee stock takes, cycle counts, and discrepancy resolution
Financial & Cross‑Functional Support
- Provide cost data (pricing, forecasts, freight, duties) to Finance
- Support standard costing and budgeting processes
- Work closely with Production, Engineering, and NPI teams
- Report purchasing performance to senior management
Compliance & Risk
- Ensure ethical procurement and supplier compliance
- Mitigate supply chain risks and maintain traceability
- Support contingency planning for supply disruption
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