Purchasing Manager

Niftylift Ltd; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturer of elevated work platforms is seeking a Purchasing Manager to oversee supplier development and negotiate contracts at their facility in Barnsley. The ideal candidate should have over 5 years of experience in a purchasing role, particularly in engineering markets. Competitive salary, plus bonuses and benefits such as 25 days holiday and a contributory pension are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday (+ bank holidays)

5% contributory pension

Life insurance scheme

Health cover scheme

Subsidised refreshments

Annual bonus

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in a senior purchasing or supply chain role.
• Proven experience in purchasing steel and welded fabrications.
• Ability to operate within a global marketplace.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of suppliers with a spend of £10M plus.
• Develop and maintain a global structured supply base.
• Achieve cost down through strong negotiation.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Business administration

Lean manufacturing

Education

Qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply

Tools

Microsoft Office

Manufacturing software systems (MRP)

Job description

Introduction

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Purchasing Manager to join our friendly team at Niftylift. The role is based at our state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing facility in Hoyland, Barnsley.

We offer competitive pay rates, excellent working conditions, overtime premiums, business performance bonus, 25 days holiday which increases with service (plus bank holidays), healthcare & benefits scheme, 5% contributory pension, death in service / life insurance, profit related bonus scheme, and subsidised refreshments (lunch and drinks).

Niftylift Limited is one of the world’s leading privately owned designers and manufacturers of mobile elevated work platforms. Our customer base is global, with products sold and locally supported in over 40 different countries. This success is comprehensively supported by a team of over 400 full‑time members of staff across our three UK centres of excellence sites in the UK.

This is a flexible role, to engage the global marketplace, in the selection of worldwide ethical / stable suppliers who can assist in supporting Niftylift in the growth & development of its products.

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing both the ongoing maintenance and future development of the Niftylift supplier base at the Hoyland site, which will also include some joint and split commodity management with the Milton Keynes site, Purchasing/Commodity Management team. The role is split into three main areas:

• Develop, support and coach the purchasing team. Formally develop and define value added procedures and their adherence.
• Providing leadership on development of the current and new supplier bases and logistics using processes and proven techniques to achieve a world‑class supply.
• To ensure commercially secure efficient purchase, control and scheduling of material at the lowest overall cost, in line with the Niftylift purchasing strategy.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Manage the portfolio of suppliers with a spend of £10M plus, including the negotiation of clear and robust commercially secure contracts (including quality, open‑book costing and delivery), for new and existing suppliers.
• Develop and maintain a global structured supply base with dual source plus back‑up / reserve for all sensitive commodity types.
• Develop KPI reporting / reports, plus scorecard measurement, feedback and development of suppliers.
• Identify areas of opportunity, initiate & implement new purchasing strategies in conjunction with senior colleagues.
• Research, audit and select suitable competent and competitive vendors for the development of strategic partnerships based on total cost.
• Develop, maintain & audit an approved primary supplier base on their financial stability, technical, commercial, quality, delivery and support abilities.
• Competitively tender all parts as commodity groups, through the company’s stage gate system. Maintain structured communication/team work with MK.
• Support New Product Introduction projects through to proven / secure implementation.
• Conduct supplier development and recovery meetings / projects in line with the group needs.
• Develop and maintain ordering methods, rolling delivery schedules, the materials control and purchasing planning parameters on the company’s manufacturing software system (MRP).
• Verification, investigation and resolution of MRP purchasing/schedule related issues.
• Achieve cost down, through strong constructive negotiation, through supplier’s technical/engineering resources, global and currency sourcing, correct supplier selection (their skills, resource and facilities), packaging / storage, finish & coatings.
• Support through teamwork, the hands on raising of purchase orders, issuing schedules, expediting deliveries, receipt booking.

Experience

Applicants should preferably be a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. Have a minimum of 5 years in a senior position in purchasing/commodity management or supply chain management role. Demonstrate proven experience and achievement in the following:

• Purchasing of steel, welded fabrications and machined commodities in the Engineering or aligned markets, plus site services requirements.
• Business administration skills.
• Purchasing & supply for continuous single piece flow line environment.
• Computer literate in Microsoft office and manufacturing software systems (i.e. MRP).
• Experience and ability to travel and operate within a global market place.
• Conversant with lean manufacturing tools.

Required areas of Knowledge

• Supply contracts to automotive standards and penalties.
• Open book costing / Purchase Price Variance.
• Rolling schedule deliveries.
• Supplier Audit processes/scoring/development. Commercial, SQA, QPAP, PPAP.
• Contract negotiation.
• Inventory reduction.

Working Hours & Salary

7:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Thursday
7:30 am – 1:30 pm Friday
Offering a competitive salary

Pay & Benefits

• Annual bonus (for indication only) based on recent average £500 per annum.
• 25 days holiday (increases with service, up to 30 days), plus bank holidays.
• Staff discounts.
• Free onsite parking.
• Subsidised refreshments (lunch and drink options).
• Free family events.
• Health cover scheme for dental, optical etc. (Additional Membership available for Partners, paid for by employee. Kids membership included for free).
• 5% contributory pension.
• Life insurance scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Referral Programme.