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 ManagerHNC, 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

Under…