Purchasing Manager

Sunblink; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 58,500 - 71,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Job summary

Sunblink is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager in Chesterfield to own purchasing operations, supplier relationships, and continuous improvement within steel fabrication/engineering environments. You will manage day-to-day purchasing, negotiate pricing and contracts, and develop the procurement function to deliver material on time, quality, and cost efficiency.

The role offers leadership of a small team, exposure to KPI reporting, and opportunities to influence procurement strategy.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in purchasing or procurement management within steel fabrication, engineering, or manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier management and supply chain operations.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and delivering cost improvements.
• Commercially focused with ability to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Excellent organisation and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day purchasing across the business, ensuring materials and services are delivered on time, at the right quality and within budget.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key suppliers to ensure reliability and competitive terms.
• Lead negotiations on pricing, contracts and supplier agreements to achieve cost savings.
• Work with internal teams to understand requirements and support production and operations.
• Monitor supplier performance, market conditions and supply chain risks.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes and reduce costs.
• Support and develop a small purchasing team with coaching and leadership.
• Resolve supplier queries related to quality, pricing, delivery and service.
• Support inventory management improvements and stock control processes.
• Produce procurement reports and KPI updates for performance reviews.
• Ensure purchasing processes align with company policies and best practices.

Skills

Purchasing management

Supplier management

Negotiation

Lean manufacturing

Excel

Team leadership

Procurement strategy

Education

CIPS qualification (advantageous)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Opportunity

We are working with an established and successful engineering business that is looking to appoint an experienced Purchasing Manager to join their team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a procurement professional with experience within the steel fabrication, manufacturing, or engineering sectors to take ownership of purchasing operations, supplier relationships, and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will play a key role in ensuring the business has the materials, products, and services required to operate efficiently, while driving value through effective supplier management, negotiation, and process improvements.

The Role

As Purchasing Manager, you will be responsible for managing the day-to-day purchasing function, ensuring materials are sourced efficiently, competitively, and in line with operational requirements.

• Managing purchasing activities across the business, ensuring materials and services are delivered on time, at the right quality, and within budget.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers, ensuring reliability, performance, and competitive commercial terms.
• Leading negotiations around pricing, contracts, and supplier agreements to achieve cost savings and added value.
• Working closely with internal teams to understand requirements and support smooth production and operational delivery.
• Monitoring supplier performance, market conditions, and potential supply chain risks.
• Identifying opportunities to improve procurement processes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.
• Supporting and developing a small purchasing team, providing guidance, coaching, and day-to-day leadership.
• Managing supplier queries and resolving issues relating to quality, pricing, delivery, and service.
• Supporting inventory management improvements and ensuring effective stock control processes.
• Producing procurement reports and KPI updates to support business performance reviews.
• Ensuring purchasing processes align with company policies and best practice.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• Proven experience in a purchasing or procurement management role within a steel fabrication, engineering, manufacturing, or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier management, and supply chain operations.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and delivering cost improvements.
• A commercially focused approach with the ability to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships internally and externally.
• Experience mentoring or managing others would be advantageous.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles or inventory management systems would be beneficial.
• A relevant procurement qualification such as CIPS would be advantageous.

Why Join?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing and successful business where you will have the opportunity to influence procurement strategy, strengthen supplier partnerships, and make a tangible impact on operational performance.

You will be joining a business that values expertise, continuous improvement, and the contribution of its people.

For more information please get in touch with Sharon O'Donnell or Sabrina O'Donnell at The Highfield Company

Location: Chesterfield

Salary: Up to £65,000 + Car Allowance