Purchasing Manager
Dagenham, London
Salary: £60,000 (DOE)
About the Role
Are you a proactive and experienced Purchasing Manager looking for your next challenge? Our client, an innovative and fast-paced manufacturing business, is seeking a talented individual to lead their purchasing team. This pivotal role ensures materials are on-site at the right time, optimising costs and transport efficiency to support production facilities across multiple locations.
With a focus on supplier performance and cost management, you’ll drive continuous improvement using key metrics, helping the team achieve operational excellence. Reporting directly to the Supply Chain Director, this is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of purchasing strategies, supplier development, and team leadership within an exciting, dynamic environment.
Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate the purchasing team to achieve tasks efficiently and on time.
• Foster a positive, improvement-focused culture through regular one-to-one meetings, appraisals, and development plans.
• Support budget preparation and management, deputising for the Supply Chain Director when required.
• Maintain accurate and audited purchasing data, collaborating with internal teams and suppliers to ensure data integrity.
• Develop and implement commodity strategies to meet programme requirements.
• Measure, analyse, and improve supply chain performance as part of the leadership team.
• Manage inventory levels to meet targets, forecast accurately, and mitigate financial impact of obsolete stock.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, including pricing, terms, and long-term contracts, ensuring quality, cost, and delivery targets are met.
• Benchmark suppliers and rationalise the supply base to align with business objectives.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and lean methodology across the purchasing function.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience in international sourcing and buying for manufactured products.
• Proficiency in MRP & ERP systems (Epicor experience advantageous).
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with expertise in supplier performance management.
• Background in multi-site manufacturing and knowledge of engineering processes (ideal).
• CIPS qualification (or willingness to work towards it).
• Understanding of continuous improvement or lean methodology.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work under pressure and prioritise workloads.
• Effective communicator and team player, capable of building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Why Join Us?
This role offers the chance to work within a forward-thinking business that values innovation, efficiency, and collaboration. If you’re a driven individual who thrives in a fast-paced SME environment, this could be your ideal opportunity.