Purchasing Manager

Ambitions Personnel; South Kesteven; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and manufacturing firm in Grantham is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager. This role involves leading a small team, managing over £25m in annual purchasing, and driving improvements across a complex supply chain. Requires 10+ years of procurement experience in manufacturing, strong negotiation skills, and experience with MRP/ERP systems. Join a company committed to technology upgrades and positive change.

Benefits

Opportunity to influence strategy

Career development and training

Qualifications

• 10+ years purchasing/procurement experience in manufacturing or engineering.
• Experience managing supplier contracts and performance.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to analyze costs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small purchasing team.
• Manage over £25m annual spend on raw materials and components.
• Negotiate contracts and ensure quality standards.

Skills

Commercial and negotiation skills

Supplier performance management

Technical specs understanding

MRP/ERP systems

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

CIPS Level 4

Tools

MRP software

ERP systems

Job description

A long-established engineering and manufacturing business in Grantham is continuing to scale and modernise, following significant investment in new technology, facilities, product lines, and people. They are now seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead procurement activity and drive continuous improvements across a complex and fast-moving supply chain.

This is a key leadership role where you will manage a small team and own purchasing strategy for over £25m annual spend across raw materials, components, services, and subcontracted manufacturing. You'll work closely with production, engineering, planning, and quality to keep the factory moving efficiently and cost-effectively.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and develop a small purchasing team
• Manage a global supplier base of 100+ suppliers
• Own procurement strategy and vendor performance
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, terms and supplier agreements
• Ensure materials and services meet quality, cost and delivery standards
• Manage MRP/ERP data, quotes, PO process, supplier records and stock levels
• Work cross-functionally with Production, Planning, Design and Quality
• Track KPIs and supplier performance; identify risks and improvement opportunities
• Conduct cost analysis, identify savings, alternatives, & supply chain improvements
• Present performance and reports to senior management

About You

• 10+ years purchasing/procurement experience in manufacturing or engineering
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills
• Able to read and understand technical specs/drawings
• Experience managing supplier performance and contract agreements
• Skilled with MRP/ERP systems and data-driven decision making
• Strategic thinker with hands‑on approach
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• CIPS Level 4 (desired but not essential)

Why This Role?

This is a chance to join a business with serious long‑term ambition and a real commitment to improvement — technology upgrades, new machinery, supply chain investment, and a leadership team driving positive change.

If you enjoy leading procurement in a manufacturing setting, influencing strategy, and improving supplier performance while working closely with engineering and production — this role will suit you perfectly.

Interested?

Apply today or contact us to discuss the role in confidence