Cranleigh STEM
Purchasing Manager
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Purchasing Manager – Engineering & Manufacturing
Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 depending on experience
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:15am – 5:00pm; Friday, 8:30am – 12:30pm
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Working arrangement: Site-based
The Opportunity
We are recruiting on behalf of an established UK engineering and manufacturing business seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to take responsibility for its procurement function. Operating within a busy manufacturing environment, you will play a key role in ensuring production has a reliable and cost-effective supply of materials, components and services while maintaining the required standards for quality and delivery.
This is a hands-on purchasing position requiring strong commercial awareness and the ability to develop effective relationships with suppliers in both UK and international markets. The role will involve sourcing a variety of engineering materials and manufactured components, which may include ferrous and non-ferrous castings, engineering bar and plate, electrical laminations, pressed and laser-cut components, alongside indirect goods and services.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day purchasing activities to ensure materials and components are available in line with production requirements.
- Develop and implement effective sourcing strategies focused on cost, quality, delivery performance and continuity of supply.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives across the purchasing function.
- Source, evaluate and develop suppliers across UK and international markets.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, contractual terms and wider commercial agreements to achieve best overall value.
- Build productive, long-term relationships with strategically important suppliers and monitor their ongoing performance.
- Work collaboratively with Production, Engineering/Technical and Quality teams to support existing products and New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes.
- Monitor commodity, supplier and wider market developments to identify potential supply chain risks and opportunities.
- Support appropriate stockholding and inventory levels through effective use of MRP and stock management systems.
- Proactively address supply issues to minimise disruption to manufacturing operations.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with internal procedures, relevant customs and HMRC requirements, and responsible sourcing expectations.
- Undertake supplier visits, including overseas travel where required.
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About You
To be successful in this position, you will ideally have:
- Previous experience in a Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager or similar purchasing role within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Experience sourcing engineering materials, components or subcontracted manufacturing services.
- Strong supplier negotiation and commercial management capabilities.
- The ability to analyse purchasing data and identify opportunities for cost reduction and improved supplier performance.
- Good knowledge of MRP, ERP or stock management systems.
- Experience working closely with production, engineering and quality functions.
- A practical understanding of supply chain risk, inventory management and manufacturing requirements.
- Confidence dealing with both UK-based and international suppliers.
- Strong communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills.
- A CIPS qualification, or progress towards MCIPS, would be advantageous but is not essential.
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What's on Offer
The successful Purchasing Manager will receive a salary of £40,000 – £45,000, dependent on experience, together with benefits including:
- 25 Days Holiday + BH
- Life insurance
- Free on-site parking
- Casual dress environment
- Early finish on Fridays
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced purchasing professional to take ownership of a varied procurement remit within an established engineering and manufacturing environment.
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