Purchasing Lead

Gregory Walker Associates; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Gregory Walker Associates in Blackburn, Lancashire is seeking a Purchasing Lead to own procurement across categories, manage supplier relationships and ensure material availability while achieving best commercial value. This hands-on role covers supplier management, sourcing, tendering, PO management and supply continuity.

You will work closely with internal teams, use SAP, and apply strong Excel skills to monitor performance and costs. CIPS qualification is desirable.

Qualifications

• Experience managing suppliers and purchasing activity across categories.
• Experience with RFQs, tenders and supplier selection.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Expedite or delay orders when demand or requirements change.
• Track supplier deliveries through to receipt.

Skills

Excel

Education

CIPS qualification desirable

Tools

SAP ERP

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

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.
• 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.

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.

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

What Success Looks Like

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