Purchasing Manager

Wabtec; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabtec is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager for our Birkenhead site. You will lead the Purchasing & Supply Chain team, develop supplier relationships, and drive QCD performance across local and global stakeholders.

The role focuses on strategic sourcing, contract management, and continuous improvement to support growth and profitability within a fixed-term contract with potential to go permanent.

Qualifications

• CIPS qualification (or working towards) is required.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills are essential.
• Experience in performance management, employee development, coaching and engagement.
• Numerate, analytical and results-driven with focus on continuous improvement.
• IT proficient, including Microsoft Office and business systems.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and work independently or with others.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and motivate the Purchasing & Supply Chain team to drive high performance and continuous improvement.
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, driving Quality, Cost and Delivery metrics.
• Collaborate with UK and global stakeholders to establish supplier agreements and long-term sourcing strategies.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement improvement plans across the supply chain.
• Maintain purchasing KPIs and management reporting to support informed decisions.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Leadership & coaching

Performance management

Analytical thinking

IT proficiency

Education

CIPS qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Who will you be working with?

We are seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to join our team at Wabtec UK based in Birkenhead where we support our customers through maintenance and operation optimisation with customised solutions for spare parts, repair, and overhaul activities on existing trains.

Role:

Purchasing Manager

Salary:

£Competitive

Onsite Location:

Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside (CH41 1LF)

Hours:

Monday to Friday 08:00am to 16:30pm and Friday 08:00am to 13:00pm

Contract Type:

Full time, fixed term contract to March 2024 with the potential to go permanent.

How will you make a difference?

To lead the Purchasing and Supply Chain function by developing people, managing strategic supplier relationships, driving Quality, Cost and Delivery performance, and implementing effective sourcing strategies that support business growth, operational excellence and long-term profitability.

What will your typical day look like?

• Lead, develop and motivate the Purchasing & Supply Chain team, promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, driving supplier performance across Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD) metrics.
• Collaborate with UK and global stakeholders to establish supplier agreements, contracts and long-term sourcing strategies.
• Monitor supplier performance, implement improvement plans and support supplier development initiatives.
• Maintain purchasing KPIs, supplier performance metrics and management reporting to support informed business decisions.
• Ensure compliance with company processes, controls and governance standards while identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Analyse spend, savings, inventory and supplier performance data, implementing actions to optimise supply chain effectiveness.
• Work closely with internal and global procurement teams to standardise best practices and deliver strategic supply chain improvements.

What do we want to know about you?

• CIPS qualified (or working towards qualification).
• Ability to prioritise workloads and work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Commercially focused with sound business acumen and contract management expertise.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience of performance management, employee development, coaching and engagement.
• Numerate, analytical and results-driven with a focus on continuous improvement.
• IT proficient, including Microsoft Office and business systems.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.

Legal authorisation to work in the UK is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation?

Just let us know - we’ve got you.