Purchasing Manager

Oliver Valves; Peacehaven; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver Twinsafe Valves Ltd in Knutsford seeks a Purchasing Manager to drive strategic procurement across China and Europe. You will manage a £50m spend on machine parts for build programs in Knutsford and Chennai, reporting to the Global Purchasing Director.

The role combines commercial leadership with technical procurement, requiring a mechanical engineering background, strong supplier development, and a track record of cost reductions.

Qualifications

• Senior management experience in mechanical engineering and procurement, with a proven track record in China, Europe, and India.
• Understanding of the machine shop environment—you know how parts are made, what they should cost, and how to spot a quality risk.
• Common sense, enthusiasm, and a winning negotiation style are essential.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess and develop high-performing third-party machining suppliers across China.
• Apply mechanical engineering knowledge to manage technically complex machined components, ensuring specifications and quality.
• Lead supplier negotiations and continuously challenge total cost of acquisition for sustainable savings.
• Align supplier capacity and component availability with production and build programmes.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Procurement

Cost Negotiation

Supply Chain

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Job description

Role: Purchasing Manager

Location: Knutsford, Parkgate Industrial Estate

Travel: Office based role with occasional travel to China

Technical Requirement: Mechanical Engineering background (essential)

About the Company

Oliver Twinsafe Valves Ltd is a leading UK manufacturer specialising in high-quality pipeline ball valves and double block and bleed valves. Established in 2000, we form part of the Oliver group alongside Oliver Valves Ltd and Oliver Valvetek Ltd.

We supply products to many of the world's major Oil & Gas operators, as well as customers across the Petrochemical and Power industries. Our valves are used in critical applications worldwide, where safety, reliability and performance are essential, delivering maximum operator protection and a long, maintenance-free service life.

The Role

To strengthen our existing team, we are appointing a Purchasing Manager to take full accountability for our expansion into the Chinese market.

Reporting to the Global Purchasing Director, the successful candidate will manage a significant portion of a £50m spend in machine parts for our build programs in two state-of-the-art facilities in Knutsford and Chennai.

Key Responsibilities

Working in partnership with our China-based Supplier & Quality Development Engineer, you will take ownership of both the commercial and technical aspects of our supplier network, ensuring all components are delivered to the required standards for quality, cost and performance.

• China Supply Chain Development: Identify, assess and develop high-performing third-party machining suppliers across China, creating a robust, reliable and scalable supply base to support future business requirements.


• Technical Procurement: Apply your mechanical engineering and manufacturing knowledge to manage technically complex machined components, ensuring suppliers fully understand and consistently achieve our specifications and quality standards.


• Cost & Commercial Management: Lead supplier negotiations and continuously challenge the total cost of acquisition, identifying opportunities to improve margins and deliver sustainable cost reductions without compromising quality or performance.


• Supply & Demand Optimisation: Align supplier capacity and component availability with production and build programmes, ensuring consistent and reliable supply to our assembly and testing facilities.

The Profile

Senior management experience in mechanical engineering and procurement, with a proven track record in China, Europe, and India.

Understanding of the machine shop environment-you know how parts are made, what they should cost, and how to spot a quality risk.

Common sense, enthusiasm, and a "win-win" negotiation style are essential.

The Reward

This is a key appointment for a person with drive and ambition. We offer a highly attractive salary and fringe benefits package. Candidates must live within a one-hour commute of Knutsford.