Procurement Manager

Optimum Recruitment Group have been appointed on an exclusive basis to recruit a Procurement Manager for an owner managed, high growth client based in Bradford. This is a newly created role to implement and grow the procurement function within a fast paced e-commerce and manufacturing business. You will be responsible for ensuring the timely and cost-effective sourcing of finished products, materials, goods, and services.

The role involves supplier management, contract negotiation, inventory optimisation, cost reduction initiatives, and collaboration with production and operations teams to maintain uninterrupted manufacturing activities while achieving business objectives. You must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experiences:
Direct sourcing from China, including dealing with factories rather than exclusively UK distributors or agents. Experience sourcing from Poland, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Vietnam or other alternative production hubs would be a massive advantage. Being personally experienced in supplier identification, due diligence, factory negotiation, sampling, production follow-up and quality control. Understands EXW/FOB/CIF-style commercial terms, freight, customs, duty, container economics and true landed cost.

Commercially strong: can evidence negotiated savings, margin improvement, improved payment terms or supplier consolidation. Can work in a fast-moving owner-led e-commerce/manufacturing business without needing a large corporate support structure. Experience in bulky consumer-product categories would be essential. Product development experience - able to turn a commercial idea into specification, sample, test order and scalable production. Knowledge of product safety/compliance, testing, traceability and supplier quality systems.

Experience with forecasting, inventory, ERP/MRP or purchasing systems. Experience in both manufacturing and retail/e-commerce environments would be preferable. Salary depending on skills and experience but initially up to c £58,000 plus benefits. This is an office based role but you must be comfortable travelling internationally when required and managing supplier relationships across time zones and cultures.