James Fisher and Sons plc
Purchasing & Supply Chain Manager
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Full-Time, Permanent
Norwich or Barrow-in-Furness with Hybrid Working
The Role
The Purchasing & Supply Chain Manager leads purchasing and supply chain operations across Fendercare and Tankships, ensuring vessel requirements are met efficiently, suppliers deliver value, and procurement processes are followed. Managing a small team, the role combines hands-on procurement, supplier management, and continuous improvement, while supporting the Head of Supply Chain Management in driving operational excellence across the business.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced maritime procurement professional to take ownership of a growing purchasing function while helping shape procurement standards and supply chain performance across multiple business units.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Oversee day-to-day vessel purchasing activities, ensuring requirements are fulfilled efficiently and supply issues are resolved promptly.
- Support critical vessel operations by managing supply risks and maintaining visibility of procurement activity.
- Source, evaluate, and develop suppliers to achieve the best balance of cost, quality, and service.
- Negotiate commercial terms, monitor supplier performance, and drive continuous improvement across the supplier base.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Purchasers and Supply Chain Coordinators.
- Promote high standards of performance, compliance, collaboration, and customer service.
- Drive consistent purchasing practices, governance, and procurement best practice across Fendercare and Tankships.
- Support supplier onboarding, quotation evaluation, and purchasing decision-making.
- Support delivery scheduling, inventory management, and supply continuity to meet operational and vessel requirements.
- Mitigate supply chain risks and manage disruptions to minimise business impact.
- Ensure procurement data is accurately maintained and processes are consistently followed.
- Monitor key performance indicators, report on operational performance, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Maintain compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and delegated authority limits.
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What We’re Looking For
Experience & Knowledge
- Significant purchasing and supply chain experience within maritime, shipping, engineering, or a similar technical environment.
- Previous experience leading or supervising procurement and supply chain teams.
- Strong supplier sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management expertise.
- Knowledge of marine procurement, MRO materials, vessel operations, and international supply chain processes.
- Experience with ERP or vessel management systems (AMOS desirable).
- Understanding of import/export and customs requirements.
Skills & Attributes
- Hands-on leader with strong commercial awareness and decision-making skills.
- Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and prioritisation abilities.
- Confident communicator with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and develop others.
- High attention to detail, process discipline, and resilience in a fast-paced operational environment.
Qualifications
- Relevant procurement, purchasing, or supply chain experience is valued equally to formal qualifications.
- CIPS Level 4 or above (or equivalent) desirable.
Why join us?
- Competitive benefits tailored to the division
- Opportunities for career growth and visibility across the organisation
- A supportive, inclusive culture that values your ideas and contributions
- Work that truly makes a difference in safety, innovation, and global capability
About Us
James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.
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With two centuries of maritime shipping and innovation, James Fisher is a trusted partner in the safe and efficient movement of the world’s critical resources. As a market leader in ship-to-ship transfer and coastal shipping, we help customers protect people, cargo and infrastructure while shaping the future of global maritime transport. You can find out more about Maritime transport here.
Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc
For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc
If this sounds like the ideal next step in your career, then click ‘apply’ now!
Due to the volume of applications, we receive for our vacancies, on occasion applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.
To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA
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