Grayson Thermal Systems
Purchasing Manager
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About the Role
Grayson’s is based in Birmingham offers a range of engine cooling systems, heating and air conditioning systems and fluid reservoirs. We are the market leader for supplying the bus and coach market, distributing product globally. Working one of three shifts in a sheet metal manufacturing facility, the candidate will be primarily programming, setting and operating Bystronic brake press machines, to work within tolerance on small to medium batch work. Operators are responsible for maintaining a safe and clean working environment. Strong communication skills are essential due to shift patterns and team-based work structure.
Purchasing Manager
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the company’s purchasing function to ensure the timely, cost-effective and compliant supply of materials, components, consumables, equipment and services required for industrial manufacturing operations. The role will manage supplier performance, purchasing processes, quality control at the supplier and commercial negotiations, while supporting production continuity, cost control, quality standards and supply chain resilience.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement and maintain purchasing strategies that support manufacturing requirements, cost targets, quality standards and business objectives.
- Source, evaluate, select and manage suppliers for raw materials, components, engineering supplies, packaging, subcontract services, consumables and capital equipment.
- Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, supply agreements, rebates and contract terms to achieve best value without compromising quality or service.
- Complete quality audits of suppliers as well as working with them on root cause analysis.
- Responsible for Far Eastern Supply Base including commercial and quality reviews throughout the year.
- Work closely with production, planning, engineering, quality, finance, stores and logistics teams to forecast demand and ensure continuity of supply.
- Monitor supplier performance against agreed KPIs, including on-time delivery, quality, cost, responsiveness, service levels and corrective action closure.
- Identify and deliver cost reduction, cost avoidance, process improvement and supplier consolidation opportunities.
- Maintain accurate supplier records, pricing data, contracts, purchasing reports and procurement documentation.
- Manage supply chain risks, including single-source dependency, price volatility, availability constraints, quality issues and supplier financial or operational instability.
- Ensure purchasing activity complies with company policies, ethical sourcing requirements, health and safety expectations, anti-bribery standards and relevant UK legislation.
- Lead, develop and support purchasing team members, setting objectives, reviewing performance and encouraging continuous improvement.
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Experience/Qualifications
- Proven experience in purchasing, procurement or supply chain management within a manufacturing, engineering, industrial or similar environment.
- Strong knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier management, contract negotiation, cost control and materials planning.
- Experience working with MRP, ERP or stock control systems, with good Microsoft Excel and reporting skills.
- Commercially astute, with the ability to analyse supplier quotations, price trends, spend data and total cost of ownership.
- Confident negotiator with strong communication, influencing and relationship management skills.
- Capability of conducting quality audits to a suitable standard and reviewing whether the supplier can meet the quality standards expected by the business.
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and respond effectively to production-critical supply issues.
- Good understanding of quality, delivery and compliance requirements within a manufacturing supply chain.
- Able to travel abroad at short notice, both short and long distance to resolve supply or quality issues at suppliers.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Leadership experience, including managing, coaching or supervising buyers, purchasing assistants or stores-related personnel.
- CIPS qualification, working towards CIPS, or equivalent procurement experience is desirable.
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Desirable Knowledge
- Experience purchasing raw materials, engineered components, electrical or mechanical items, packaging, tooling or maintenance supplies.
- Understanding of ISO quality standards, supplier audits, non-conformance processes and corrective actions.
- Knowledge of import/export requirements, Incoterms, commodity price movements and supplier risk management.
- Experience implementing purchasing procedures, supplier scorecards, standard operating procedures or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Familiarity with UK employment, ethical sourcing, modern slavery and anti-bribery expectations relevant to procurement activity.
Competencies
- Supplier on-time delivery performance.
- Purchase price variance, savings delivered and cost avoidance achieved.
- Supplier quality performance and reduction in supplier-related non-conformances.
- Inventory availability, stock accuracy and reduction of excess or obsolete stock.
- Purchase order accuracy, processing efficiency and adherence to purchasing procedures.
- Supplier risk mitigation and continuity of supply for critical materials.
- Team performance, development and engagement.
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