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Purchasing Manager
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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 are 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.
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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 years’ 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
- Understanding of component manufacturing costs and supplier pricing
- Experience developing and managing an international subcontract or supplier base
- Excellent commercial and supplier negotiation skills
- Knowledge of metals, engineering specifications, and technical standards
- Understanding of material costs, acquisition costs, and total cost principles
- Supplier relationship and stakeholder management skills
- Analytical, organisational, and leadership capabilities
- Experience using ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle
- Commercial awareness and the ability to identify opportunities to improve profitability through effective procurement
- Confidence communicating and negotiating with suppliers across different countries and cultures
- CIPS qualification would be advantageous
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Salary & Benefits
- £70,000 – £80,000 (dependent on experience)
- Healthcare cash plan, including support towards medical and eye care costs
- Death in service – 2x salary
- Pension – 5% employee / 4% employer contribution
- 31 days’ holiday including bank holidays, increasing with service
- Christmas shutdown
- International travel
- Senior-level responsibility and autonomy
- Long-term career progression
- Opportunity to develop and manage a global supplier network
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineering procurement professional to take ownership of an international strategy and to be involved in the growth of an established UK manufacturing business.
Interested?
Please contact Adele Lewis or click Apply Now.
- Call: 0151 209 2050 or 07537163611
- Email: adele.lewis@aspion.co.uk
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