Procurement Lead

Opus People Solutions Ltd; Mildenhall; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Opus People Solutions Ltd is seeking an ambitious Procurement Lead to shape procurement across two sister companies within manufacturing and resale markets. You will manage day-to-day purchasing, build supplier partnerships, and drive efficiency while maintaining cost effectiveness.

You'll operate at a strategic level, challenge processes, and mentor junior staff as part of a growing team in the UK. The role offers progression into senior leadership and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience in Buyer/Procurement role within manufacturing, distribution or resale.
• Strong commercial awareness with understanding of cost, margin, inventory and working capital management.
• Experience leading or coordinating procurement teams and mentoring junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day purchasing activities across two sister businesses.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders for materials, components, finished goods and services.
• Monitor supplier commitments, lead times and delivery performance.
• Ensure material availability to support manufacturing schedules and resale inventory.
• Maintain continuity of supply and support inventory optimisation initiatives.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms and service levels.
• Identify risks in the supply chain and implement mitigation plans.
• Identify opportunities to leverage combined spend across both businesses.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Analytical skills

Commercial awareness

Negotiation

Education

CIPS qualification or working towards one

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Procurement reporting tools

Job description

Salary: up to £40,000 plus great benefits including 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, early finish, and much more!

An Exciting Opportunity to join a business at a time of growth - a real opportunity to help shape the future of the team, and work in the future in a supervisory capacity.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious procurement professional to join a thriving business at a pivotal stage of its growth journey. With expansion taking place across the wider organisation and within the procurement function itself, this role offers genuine scope to shape the future of the department, influence business decisions, and develop into senior leadership opportunities over time.

We're looking for someone who enjoys thinking strategically, not just operationally. You'll be empowered to challenge processes, improve supplier performance, drive efficiencies, and play a key role in supporting the continued success of two sister companies operating across manufacturing and resale markets.

If you're a proactive Procurement Lead, Senior Buyer, or experienced procurement professional looking for a role where your ideas will be heard and your career can accelerate, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Procurement Lead, you will be responsible for managing procurement activities across two sister companies, ensuring the efficient, cost-effective, and compliant supply of materials, products, and services. Acting as the key link between suppliers and internal stakeholders, you'll balance the needs of both businesses while identifying opportunities to leverage combined purchasing power, strengthen supplier partnerships, and support profitable growth.

This role combines hands-on procurement management with strategic influence, making it ideal for somebody who wants to broaden their impact and help shape the future direction of the function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day purchasing activities across both businesses.
• Create, issue, and manage purchase orders for raw materials, components, finished goods, consumables, and services.
• Monitor supplier commitments, lead times, and delivery performance.
• Ensure material availability to support manufacturing schedules, resale inventory, and customer demands.
• Maintain continuity of supply and support inventory optimisation initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with manufacturers, distributors, subcontractors, and service providers.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, minimum order quantities, and service levels.
• Manage critical supply issues and expedite urgent orders when required.
• Identify risks within the supply chain and implement mitigation plans.
• Identify opportunities to leverage combined spend across both businesses.
• Ensure procurement activities align with company policies, budgets, contractual obligations, and quality standards.
• Monitor supplier pricing, market movements, and landed costs.
• Support working capital, margin protection, and inventory objectives.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier data within ERP/MRP systems.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience within a Buyer, Purchasing or Procurement role
• Experience within manufacturing, engineering, distribution, wholesale, resale, or a mixed supply chain environment
• Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of cost, margin, inventory, and working capital management.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and procurement reporting tools.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or coordinating procurement teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• CIPS qualification or working towards one.
• Experience of strategic sourcing and contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of supplier quality management and compliance processes.
• Experience leveraging spend across multiple business units.
• Leadership training or demonstrable leadership experience.

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

• Ambitious and eager to progress into future leadership positions.
• Commercially minded with a strategic outlook.
• Naturally collaborative and able to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Analytical, curious, and always looking for ways to improve.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, growing business environment.
• Passionate about building strong supplier partnerships and delivering tangible results.