Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager

Cheshire
£70,000 – £80,000 (dependent on experience)

An established UK engineering manufacturer is looking for an experienced Purchasing Manager to take responsibility for developing and expanding its international supply chain, with a particular focus on China and the wider Asian market.

This is a newly created, senior position within the business and an exciting opportunity for someone with a mechanical engineering or technical background who understands machined components, supplier development and global procurement.

The successful candidate will have significant responsibility for supplier selection, commercial negotiation, cost reduction, quality and supply chain resilience. The Purchasing Manager will develop the company's international sourcing strategy while working closely with senior purchasing leadership teams.

This is an office based position, with occasional international travel to meet suppliers and vendors.

The Role of the Purchasing Manager

The Purchasing Manager will be reporting directly to the Global Purchasing Director. The Purchasing Manager will take ownership of developing an international supplier base, focusing on China and the wider Asian market.

The business purchases significant volumes of precision machined components and engineered parts, so supplier capability, manufacturing quality and commercial pricing is critical.

The Purchasing Manager will work closely with Supplier & Quality Engineering resources based across Asia to identify and develop high quality manufacturing partners who can support the company’s international growth.

The Purchasing Manager will have accountability across cost, delivery, quality and service and the authority to make decisions around supply, pricing and supplier selection.

This role is ideal for someone with a good technical understanding of engineering and machining with the commercial ability to develop an international supplier network. It would be a bonus for the Purchasing Manager to have sourcing experience within China, Asia or India.

The Purchasing Manager will have the opportunity to take ownership of the international sourcing strategy and develop the function as the business continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities of the Purchasing Manager

Develop and implement purchasing and sourcing strategies across China and wider Asian markets
Identify, evaluate, audit and onboard new international suppliers
Identify and appoint high performing machine shops and manufacturing partners
Source precision machined components, engineered parts, forgings, castings and raw materials
Develop and manage relationships with subcontract precision engineering businesses
Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, contracts and supplier terms
Analyse manufacturing costs and identify opportunities to reduce total acquisition costs
Ensure suppliers achieve required quality, specification and delivery standards
Develop and maintain long term relationships with key international suppliers
Work closely with Supplier & Quality Engineers based within Asia
Monitor supplier performance and implement improvements where required
Identify and mitigate supplier, commodity and wider supply chain risks
Monitor market trends and understand their impact on material and component costs
Balance supply and demand to maintain component availability
Resolve supplier disputes and commercial issues
Support inventory strategies to improve availability, cash flow and stock management
Visit international suppliers and vendors when required
Support the company's wider international growth strategy
Develop and potentially build a team as the international purchasing function continues to grow

Requirements of the Purchasing Manager

HNC, HND or Degree within an Engineering or Technical discipline
Mechanical Engineering or Technical background
At least 7 year’s experience within purchasing, procurement, supply chain or commodity management
Previous experience working with machine shops, precision engineering or machined components
Experience purchasing precision machined or complex engineered components
Understanding of machining processes and how engineered components are manufactured
Underst…