Purchasing Manager - Clay Cross, Chesterfield - £55,000 - £65,000
Chase & Holland are proud to be working with a successful and growing engineering and project-based business based in the Clay Cross area of Chesterfield who are currently seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to join their expanding operation on a permanent basis.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement or purchasing professional to take ownership of the purchasing function, managing a small team while working closely with the CFO, Operations and wider business to develop and improve procurement processes across the organisation.
The successful candidate will ideally have experience within a project-based engineering, construction, oil & gas or similar environment, with a strong understanding of purchasing, supplier management, stock control and international sourcing. This is a highly visible role where you will have the opportunity to shape the purchasing function, introduce improvements and put your own structure and processes in place within a growing business.
Benefits:
- £55,000 - £65,000 salary
- 33 days holiday including bank holidays
- Permanent, full-time position
- Opportunity to shape and develop the purchasing function
- Small, established purchasing team
- Close working relationship with the CFO and senior management team
- Scope for occasional UK and international travel
- Opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing organisation
- Monday to Friday, site-based position
Purchasing Manager Responsibilities:
- Taking ownership of the Group purchasing function, ensuring procurement policies, processes and systems are effectively managed and administered
- Managing and developing a small purchasing team, including a Junior Buyer and part-time Purchasing Administrator
- Supporting internal departments with the sourcing and purchasing of goods, equipment and services required across the business
- Managing UK and international supplier relationships, including sourcing from overseas markets
- Negotiating with suppliers to achieve competitive pricing, favourable terms and appropriate levels of service
- Building strong working relationships with Operations and other internal departments to understand requirements and ensure purchasing activity supports operational delivery
- Developing and maintaining effective supplier relationships, including managing supplier performance and resolving commercial or service-related issues
- Supporting the development and implementation of improved stock management and control processes
- Monitoring purchasing spend and orders against individual projects and jobs
- Working closely with Finance to ensure purchasing information and reporting supports month-end accounting procedures
- Liaising with Accounts to improve and maintain an efficient purchasing-to-invoice process
- Maintaining supplier SHQEMS documentation and KPI records
- Producing purchasing and supplier reports for senior management and Finance
- Reviewing existing purchasing processes and proactively identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
- Developing procurement procedures and controls as the business continues to grow
- Supporting the implementation of improved purchasing systems, processes and controls
- Maintaining awareness of relevant legislation, procedures and best practice within procurement and purchasing
- Working closely with senior stakeholders to ensure procurement decisions align with wider commercial and operational objectives
- Undertaking occasional UK and international travel to visit suppliers and operational locations
- Carrying out any other duties as reasonably required by management
Required Skills & Experience:
- Significant practical experience within a purchasing, procurement or buying role
- Previous experience managing or supervising a purchasing/procurement function or small team
- Experience within a project-based engineering, construction, oil & gas or similar operational environment would be highly advantageous
- Strong supplier management and negotiation experience
- Experience sourcing goods or services internationally
- Understanding of international shipping and logistics
- Previous experience with stock management and purchasing controls
- Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to understand the wider impact of purchasing decisions on projects and operations
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work effectively across all levels of an organisation
- Ability to build relationships with both operational and senior stakeholders and confidently challenge where required
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills
- A proactive approach to continuous improvement, with the drive to review existing processes and implement positive change
- Comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership within an evolving environment
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload, manage deadlines and work effectively under pressure
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Experience using SAGE, Microsoft Excel and SharePoint
- Degree-level education and/or CIPS qualification would be advantageous but is not essential
- Confident and resilient approach, with the ability to hold your own when dealing with challenging stakeholders or suppliers
- Willingness to travel occasionally, including internationally where required