Purchasing Manager

Alternative Heat Ltd; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK's Building Services sector is seeking a Purchasing Manager to oversee procurement strategies in Birmingham. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in procurement and team leadership, ensuring efficient acquisition of goods and services and contributing to a progressive company culture. This permanent role includes a competitive salary and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Full in-house training and career development opportunities

Competitive pension scheme

Health cash plan

Free annual health check

Annual leave increasing with service

Free coffee, tea, and fruit provided daily

Secure, free onsite parking

Friendly and supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in a senior procurement role.
• Experience managing a purchasing team and meeting client requirements.
• Effective managerial skills and knowledge of procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the purchasing team, providing guidance and support.
• Negotiate terms and manage relationships with suppliers.
• Oversee procurement processes including purchase orders and invoicing.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier Relationship Management

Team Leadership

Cost Analysis

Communication

Education

Relevant qualification in Supply Chain/Procurement discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Viewpoint for Projects (4P)

Job description

Purchasing Manager

Application Deadline: 3 July 2025

Department: Purchasing

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Birmingham

Reporting To: Head of Procurement

Description

The opportunity has arisen to join an industry leader in UK’s Building Services sector. Alternative Heat design, develop and deliver a wide range of offsite-prefabricated, innovative, and sustainable building service solutions throughout the UK & Europe.

We specialise in the design, supply, and installation of a wide range of prefabricated energy solutions, typically built in NI and shipped throughout the UK & Europe. We also offer turnkey design, build, and operate solutions for commercial energy centres and large-scale district heating solutions and have experience with successfully procuring and delivering many similar packages to a wide range of public bodies throughout UK & Europe.

Due to continued growth, we are looking to integrate a Purchasing Manager to support our growing procurement team in our Birmingham Office. This post is permanent contract. It is an amazing opportunity for a candidate that wants to gain experience with a progressive and dynamic company to further your career.

Role

The Purchasing Manager will plays a key role in managing a company's procurement strategy and ensuring cost-effective and timely acquisition of goods and services for live projects. They will work closely with the procurement team to oversee the procurement process of goods and services essential for the organization’s operations, and the accounts departments to ensure the smooth transition of all purchase orders from initial request for goods through to ordering and final stages of invoicing.

Job Title | Purchasing Manager
Location | Birmingham
Hours | 38 hrs per week. 8.00am to 5.00pm Mon to Thurs & 8.00am to 3.00pm Friday
Salary | Competitive depending on experience
Responsible to | Head of Procurement

Key Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities of role:

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a purchasing team. Provide guidance and support as required.
• Delegate tasks and monitor team performance
• Ensure staff are trained in procurement best practices.

Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Management:

• Identify and evaluate suppliers and vendors, and work to broaden the supply company chain.
• Negotiate terms, pricing, and contracts for all live projects
• Manage and develop key supplier relationships
• Monitor supplier performance and set KPI’s for reporting (quality, delivery times, compliance).
• Negotiate with suppliers to obtain best possible terms while maintaining good working relationships

Cost Control and Budgeting:

• Manage procurement budgets and keep project managers updated on performance.
• Analyse spending trends and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Analyze supplier pricing data and ensure competitiveness.

Process Improvement and Reporting:

• Work to develop and refine internal procurement policies and procedures.
• Use internal procurement software system for data tracking and automation.
• Generate regular reports for management (e.g., cost savings, supplier performance, project performance)
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, reports and supplier data

Purchasing Operations:

• Oversee the procurement process, including purchase orders creation and order approvals.
• Develop and maintain systems to manage internal material tracking to ensure all materials are delivered withing the agreed timeframe for the project programme.
• Coordinate with internal departments to confirm specifications and needs.
• Develop and implement robust procedures in order to record and report on department KPIs and improve department performance
• Ensure there is consistency of service from the team for all internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage a high and fast paced workload of purchasing requirements by sourcing materials using a wide range of vendors.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum of 5 years previous experience in a senior procurement role
• Proven experience managing a busy purchasing team, including the ability to lead, develop and motivate, in order to meet client requirements and meet company targets.
• Effective managerial skills and in-depth knowledge of procurement processes & supply chain management and interpersonal style.
• Proven skills in negotiation and supply chain interaction.
• Ability to generate and manage workloads to achieve targets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building and maintaining positive relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with excellent attention to detail.

Desired Criteria:

• Possess a relevant qualification in Supply Chain/Procurement discipline.
• Management of large material ordering including drawing off as required.
• Previous experience of using Viewpoint for Projects (4P).
• Demonstrable experience of the management of mechanical / electrical material ordering.
• Detail orientated, highly organized with the ability to work to deadlines.

Benefits

• Full in-house training and career development opportunities.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Full access to smart wellbeing platform.
• Annual flu vaccine
• Free annual health check during working hours.
• Annual leave increasing in line with length of service.
• Lavish Long service awards
• Generously funded social events organised for all employees throughout the year via our Social and Wellbeing committee.
• Electric vehicle charging ports
• Full access to car emergency kit.
• Annual Christmas raffle
• Yearly allowance for AH Branded clothing merchandise
• Secure, free onsite parking.
• Dedicated departmental budget allocated annually for team building events during working hours
• Free Barista Style Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Tea, and Fruit provided daily.
• Friendly and supportive working environment in state-of-the-art facilities.