For over 10 years, Live Wire has delivered technology, AV, and immersive experiences across Formula 1 and major live events worldwide. Supporting leading F1 teams and Formula 1 Management across all 24 races, our work spans hospitality suites, paddocks, garages, pit walls, fan zones, and factory environments. Alongside motorsport, we deliver technical production and live event solutions across concerts, festivals, theatre, conferences, and venues including the Southbank Centre and Barbican. Based in Banbury, we are a fast‑growing company working in some of the most demanding and exciting live production environments in the world.
Purchasing Manager
Pay: From £40,000
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Banbury, UK
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Purchasing Manager to oversee procurement, supplier coordination, inventory planning, and purchasing operations across Formula 1 and live event projects. This role is suited to someone highly organised, commercially aware, and confident working within fast‑paced operational environments where timelines, accuracy, and communication are critical.
The successful candidate will work closely with project management, operations, technical, logistics, and warehouse teams to ensure equipment, consumables, services, and operational requirements are sourced efficiently, delivered on time, and managed within budget.
You will play a key role in supporting project delivery through effective supplier management, purchasing processes, stock control, and operational coordination while maintaining high standards across procurement and logistics activities.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Purchasing
- Manage purchasing activities across live event, AV, and Formula 1 projects
- Source equipment, materials, consumables, services, and operational requirements from approved suppliers
- Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations, pricing, lead times, and availability
- Raise and manage purchase orders while ensuring accuracy across purchasing documentation
- Track deliveries, supplier timelines, and order statuses to ensure operational deadlines are met
- Support procurement and purchasing planning across multiple concurrent projects
Supplier & Vendor Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers and service providers
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, and supplier agreements where appropriate
- Monitor supplier performance, reliability, and delivery standards
- Coordinate with suppliers regarding logistics, shipping, and project timelines
- Identify new suppliers and procurement opportunities to improve operational efficiency
- Maintain accurate supplier records
Inventory & Stock Coordination
- Work closely with warehouse and technical teams to monitor stock levels and equipment availability
- Support inventory management processes including stock tracking, replenishment, and reporting
- Assist with managing equipment shortages, urgent procurement requests, and operational contingencies
Budget & Cost Control
- Monitor purchasing spend and support cost tracking across projects and departments
- Ensure purchasing activities remain aligned with project budgets
- Identify cost‑saving opportunities while maintaining quality and delivery standards
- Support forecasting, purchasing reporting, and budget management activities
Operational Coordination
- Coordinate closely with project managers, technical teams, logistics, and operations departments
- Support international freight coordination, and supplier logistics where required
- Ensure purchasing timelines align with project schedules, and event delivery deadlines
- Assist with operational planning during busy event periods
- Support continuous improvements across purchasing and operational processes
Risk Management & Problem Solving
- Proactively identify purchasing risks, shortages, delays, and operational challenges
- Support contingency planning and alternative sourcing solutions when required
- Adapt quickly to changing project requirements and operational priorities
- Manage urgent purchasing requests within fast‑paced live event environments
- Support operational problem‑solving while maintaining delivery standards and timelines
Stakeholder & Team Coordination
- Build positive working relationships across operations, project management, technical, warehouse, and finance teams
- Communicate clearly across departments, suppliers, and stakeholders
- Support collaborative working practices across procurement and operational activities
- Contribute to process improvements and purchasing best practices
- Manage a small team, ensuring priorities are set and adhered to and that process is followed and accuracy is maintained
Essential Skills & Experience
- Experience within a Purchasing Management role. Incorporating procurement, supply chain, operations and inventory management
- Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail
- Excellent communication and supplier coordination abilities
- Experience managing purchase orders, supplier relationships, and purchasing processes
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities within fast‑paced environments
- Strong commercial awareness and problem‑solving mindset
- Confident working under pressure while maintaining accuracy
- Proficiency in Google Workspace and procurement or inventory management systems, ideally Sage
- Willingness and availability for international travel where required
Desirable
- Experience within live events, AV, technical production, motorsport, or Formula 1 environments
- Understanding of technical equipment, event technology, and production workflows
- Experience supporting operational delivery within fast‑paced project environments
What We Offer
- The opportunity to work on exciting international Formula 1 and live event projects
- Exposure to a wide range of technical production environments and global events
- A collaborative and highly skilled working environment
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development within a growing company
- The chance to contribute to projects delivered at the highest level of live production
Live Wire Productions is committed to creating a workplace that is open, inclusive, and free from discrimination or prejudice. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are proud to support equal opportunities regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or age.
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