Procurement Manager – Manufacturing

Castle Employment Agency Ltd; Northallerton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Castle Employment Agency Ltd. is seeking a Procurement Manager for a manufacturing operation in North Yorkshire. You will lead a team across Costing, Buying, Goods Inwards and Stores, driving strategic sourcing, supplier management and cost optimisation to support growth.

You will partner with Operations, Finance and senior leadership to implement a best-in-class procurement function, develop supplier relationships and deliver measurable improvements in margin and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a procurement or supply chain team within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing and supplier management.
• Proven experience negotiating with suppliers and improving commercial terms.
• Experience working with ERP or MRP systems.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-moving manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of five across Costing, Buying, Goods Inwards and Stores.
• Set priorities, objectives and KPIs for procurement.
• Develop and implement a procurement strategy aligned with growth.
• Identify, evaluate and qualify new suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance across quality, cost and delivery.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers.
• Improve RFQ and costing processes and speed of quotations.
• Drive ERP/MRP and data-driven procurement improvements.
• Support automation and AI initiatives in procurement.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance and senior leadership.

Skills

Strategic thinking

People leadership

Commercial awareness

Data analysis

Education

MCIPS qualification

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Excel

Job description

Procurement Manager - Manufacturing

Location: Northallerton
Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

The Opportunity

We are supporting a well-established and growing manufacturing business in North Yorkshire with the appointment of an experienced Procurement Manager.

This is a key leadership position with responsibility for the wider procurement and supply chain function, covering Costing, Buying, Expediting, Goods Inwards, Stores and Supply Chain Development.

You will lead and develop a team of five across Costing, Buying, Goods Inwards and Stores, while working closely with the CEO and wider leadership team.

The business is continuing to invest in its people, technology and processes as part of an ambitious growth strategy. This is a genuine opportunity to shape and develop the procurement function, improve supplier performance, strengthen commercial decision-making and introduce more efficient ways of working.

The role would suit an experienced procurement professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands- on operational leadership and wants the autonomy to make a visible impact.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Leadership

• Lead, support and develop a team of five.
• Set clear priorities, objectives and KPIs.
• Oversee performance across Costing, Buying, Goods Inwards and Stores.
• Work closely with Operations, Finance, Commercial and senior leadership.
• Develop and implement a procurement strategy aligned with business growth.

Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management

• Identify, evaluate and qualify new suppliers.
• Build and maintain strong, long- term supplier relationships.
• Monitor supplier performance across quality, cost and delivery.
• Manage supplier risk and improve supply chain resilience.
• Develop strategic sourcing plans across key categories.

Supplier and Cost Optimisation

• Negotiate competitive pricing and commercial terms.
• Analyse component and manufacturing costs.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and margin improvement.
• Work with suppliers to optimise cost structures.
• Challenge cost increases and explore alternative sourcing opportunities.
• Support improved pricing and profitability decisions.

RFQ and Costing Management

• Lead and improve the RFQ and costing process.
• Ensure customer enquiries are costed accurately and efficiently.
• Develop and refine costing models.
• Improve the speed and accuracy of quotations.
• Work with internal teams to develop commercially viable proposals.
• Use data and market insight to support stronger pricing decisions.

Process and Systems Improvement

The business is committed to modernising and developing its procurement operation. You will have the opportunity to challenge existing processes and introduce more effective ways of working.

This will include:

• Improving procurement, costing and RFQ processes.
• Maximising the use of ERP and MRP systems.
• Introducing more data- led decision-making.
• Improving procurement reporting and analytics.
• Identifying opportunities for automation.
• Exploring the use of AI within procurement and costing.
• Developing scalable processes to support future growth.

Goods Inwards and Stores

You will also have leadership responsibility for Goods Inwards and Stores, ensuring:

• Stock is received and processed accurately.
• Inventory is effectively controlled and accounted for.
• Goods Inwards and Stores processes are efficient and consistent.
• Teams work effectively with Purchasing, Operations and Production.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced procurement professional who combines strong commercial judgement with confident people leadership.

You are likely to have:

• Experience leading a procurement or supply chain team within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing and supplier management.
• Proven experience negotiating with suppliers and improving commercial terms.
• A good understanding of manufacturing cost structures.
• Experience managing and developing a team.
• Strong commercial awareness and analytical ability.
• Experience working with ERP or MRP systems.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience improving procurement processes and ways of working.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast- moving manufacturing environment.

The Person

We're looking for someone who is:

• Strategic and commercially minded.
• Comfortable working at both strategic and operational levels.
• Proactive and improvement focused.
• Confident making decisions and challenging existing processes.
• A strong negotiator and relationship builder.
• Data driven and analytical.
• Collaborative and approachable.
• Able to provide clear direction and support to a team.
• Resilient, adaptable and solutions focused.
• Motivated by delivering measurable improvements.

Qualifications and Experience

An MCIPS qualification, or someone currently working towards MCIPS, would be highly advantageous.

Experience within complex manufacturing, engineering, components, assembly or technical production environments would also be beneficial.

Experience or an interest in areas such as the following would be particularly attractive:

• Data analytics.
• AI within procurement.
• Digital procurement tools.
• Sustainability and ESG procurement.
• Supply chain development.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is much more than a traditional purchasing position.

You will have the opportunity to take ownership of a broad procurement and supply chain function and directly influence:

• Supplier strategy and performance.
• Cost reduction and commercial performance.
• Pricing and profitability.
• Supply chain resilience.
• Team development.
• Operational performance.
• Systems and process improvement.
• Future business growth.

You will join an established manufacturing organisation with long- term ambitions and a genuine appetite for continuous improvement.

For an experienced Procurement Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Purchasing Manager or Senior Buyer looking to take on broader leadership responsibility, this is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact.

Salary is negotiable depending on experience.