Purchasing Lead

Gregory Walker; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Gregory Walker in Blackburn is seeking a Purchasing Lead to take ownership of purchasing across categories, working with suppliers and internal teams to ensure material availability and best value. It's a hands-on role focused on supplier management, sourcing, and PO administration.

You will monitor stock, expedite orders, negotiate terms, and collaborate with Operations and Supply Chain to meet production needs while reducing costs. Strong Excel and SAP experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing or procurement within manufacturing or FMCG.
• Strong Excel skills and ERP experience.
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and negotiate terms.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activity across assigned categories.
• Raise and manage purchase orders and ensure on-time delivery.
• Monitor stock levels and supplier confirmations.
• Expedite or delay orders as needed.
• Produce supplier and purchasing performance reports.
• Identify cost saving opportunities and value improvements.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Procurement

Excel skills

ERP systems

Supplier management

Education

CIPS qualification (desirable)

Tools

SAP

Job description

Contract: Permanent

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum

Working Hours: 09:00 – 17:30

Location: Blackburn, Lancashire

Overview:

Reporting in to the Supply Chain Manager, you will take ownership of purchasing activity across a range of categories. You will work closely with suppliers and internal teams to ensure materials are available when required, suppliers are performing effectively and the business is achieving the best possible commercial value. This is a hands‑on purchasing role with responsibility for supplier management, sourcing, negotiation, purchase orders and supply continuity.

The Role:

The successful Purchasing Lead candidate will:

Purchasing & Supply

• Manage purchasing activity across assigned categories.


• Raise and manage purchase orders and ensure orders are delivered on time.


• Monitor stock levels, supplier confirmations and delivery dates.


• Work with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure production requirements are met.


• Expedite or delay orders when demand or requirements change.


• Track supplier deliveries through to receipt.

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.


• Monitor supplier performance, including delivery, quality, responsiveness and pricing.


• Support supplier onboarding and maintain accurate supplier records.


• Conduct supplier performance reviews and support supplier improvement activity.


• Identify and manage supply chain risks.

Sourcing & Cost Saving

• Lead RFQs and tender processes for assigned categories.


• Source and evaluate new suppliers.


• Compare costs and negotiate pricing and commercial terms.


• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve value.


• Monitor market conditions and supplier pricing.

Reporting & Administration

• Monitor purchasing spend against budgets.


• Track and report cost savings.


• Produce supplier and purchasing performance reports.


• Resolve purchase order, pricing, quantity and invoice queries.

The Candidate:

The successful Purchasing Lead candidate will have previous purchasing or procurement experience, ideally gained within manufacturing, FMCG or another fast‑paced supply chain environment.

You will ideally have:

• Experience managing suppliers and purchasing activity.


• Experience with RFQs, tenders and supplier selection.


• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing commercial relationships.


• Good understanding of purchase orders and procure‑to‑pay processes.


• Experience monitoring supplier performance and delivery.


• Strong Excel skills and experience using an ERP system, ideally SAP.


• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.


• The ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple priorities.


• A proactive approach to identifying and solving supply chain issues.

A CIPS qualification or experience working towards CIPS would be desirable, but is not essential.

What Success Looks Like:

In this role, you will be successful when:

• Materials are available when needed to support production.


• Suppliers consistently meet agreed delivery, quality and service requirements.


• Purchasing issues are identified and resolved quickly.


• Strong supplier relationships are maintained.


• Cost savings and commercial improvements are identified and delivered.


• Purchase orders, supplier information and purchasing records are accurate and up to date.


• Supply risks are identified early and effectively managed.