Purchasing Manager

JR United Kingdom; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK market leader in high-visibility apparel seeks a Purchasing Manager to lead procurement efforts and ensure a resilient supply chain. The role involves managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet business objectives. This is a pivotal position for someone looking to impact a growing business in a critical operational area.

Benefits

24-days holiday plus bank holidays

Competitive salary and pension scheme

Quarterly performance bonus

Contribution to sustainability initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a purchasing or procurement role, ideally in apparel.
• Experience managing offshore suppliers and international logistics.
• Strong contract management and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement team and manage supplier relationships.
• Negotiate contracts and monitor stock levels for optimal supply chain.
• Collaborate across teams to align purchasing with customer demand.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Supplier Development

Project Management

Commercial Awareness

Education

Experience in purchasing or procurement

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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Salary: Competitive, based on experience

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About Leo Workwear

Leo Workwear is a UK market leader in high-visibility apparel, supplying the public sector, rail, and construction industries with premium-quality, ethically sourced garments. With over 40 years of heritage and a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer service, we continue to set the standard for safety, comfort, and performance.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Purchasing Manager to lead our procurement team. This role is critical to ensuring a cost-effective and resilient supply chain for our fast-moving product lines. The successful candidate will be responsible for supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, demand forecasting, and stock optimisation to meet both business and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans aligned with business objectives
• Manage relationships with international suppliers to ensure quality, delivery, and cost targets are consistently met
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms to drive value and ensure long-term supply chain resilience
• Monitor stock levels and manage replenishment to optimise working capital and maintain availability
• Manage some products including sample developments within a category
• Collaborate with Sales, Product Development, and Operations teams to ensure purchasing aligns with product lifecycle and customer demand
• Analyse market trends and supplier performance data to identify risks and opportunities
• Ensure all products meet ethical sourcing, sustainability, and compliance standards (e.g., BSCI, WRAP, SEDEX, OEKO-TEX).
• Use ERP systems to manage purchase orders, inventory, and reporting.
• Forecast material and product needs based on sales trends and seasonal demand.
• Lead and mentor the purchasing team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Proven experience in a purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management role (ideally within the apparel industry)
• Proven experience managing offshore suppliers and navigating international logistics.
• Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier development skills
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and forecast demand accurately
• Proficiency in MRP/ERP systems and Microsoft Excel
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and projects whilst maintaining high levels of accuracy
• Strong commercial awareness and cost control acumen
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

What We Offer

• A collaborative and supportive team culture
• The opportunity to make a visible impact in a growing business
• 24-days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service
• Competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, and quarterly performance bonus
• Contribution to sustainability and ethical sourcing initiatives