Purchasing Manager

Robert Bosch Group; St. Neots; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday

Pension

Life Assurance

Staff discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Bosch Rexroth UK is seeking an experienced procurement leader to rebuild and head the UK direct purchasing function focused on Industrial Power Units and Manifolds. You will shape the team, strategy and deliver immediate impact across procurement activities.

You will lead a high-performance team, manage supplier relationships, run annual negotiations, and ensure compliance with framework agreements and NDAs, while partnering with Engineering, Sales and Quality to drive project success.

Qualifications

• Proven senior purchasing or materials management experience in a technical/manufacturing setting.
• Experience leading and developing a team and delivering results under pressure.
• Strong relationship management and negotiation skills across internal and external stakeholders.
• Solid commercial acumen and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
• Experience with SAP and MS Office/analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide functional and disciplinary leadership for direct purchasing and logistics personnel, including an intern.
• Lead supplier strategy, supplier assessments and audits to ensure delivery, quality and pricing targets.
• Negotiate annual supplier terms and drive cost reduction with MFS strategy alignment.
• Oversee end-to-end RFQs, COQ analysis and strategic sourcing recommendations.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Sales, Production and Quality to embed procurement in project planning.

Skills

Senior purchasing experience

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

CIPS certification

Degree in Business or Engineering

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Power BI

AI tools

Job description

Bosch Rexroth supports mechanical and plant engineering challenges around the world with its cutting-edge technology and unique industry knowledge. More than 32,300 employees worldwide work on safe, efficient, intelligent and powerful solutions. With our cross-technology portfolio, digital services and comprehensive service, we are the partner for machines and plants.

WE MOVE. YOU WIN.

Job Description

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced procurement leader to take on a critical role within Bosch Rexroth UK. Following a period of change, you will be responsible for rebuilding and leading our UK-wide direct purchasing function, with focus on the Product Class Industrial Power Units and Manifolds.

You will have the autonomy to shape the team, refine our strategy and make a significant and immediate impact on the business. We are seeking a proactive and resilient leader who can provide stability, direction and a clear vision for the future of our engineering procurement activities.

Core Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

Provide full functional and disciplinary leadership for a team of direct purchasing and logistics personnel, including an intern.

Lead, mentor and develop the team, promoting a culture of high performance, continuous improvement and professional growth.

Act as the key purchasing account lead for the DCFI function.

Strategic Supplier & Stakeholder Management

Develop and manage the strategic supplier base, identifying and qualifying new local suppliers, negotiating supply agreements and agreeing on key terms (incoterms, payment terms, volume rebates).

Lead annual supplier assessments in collaboration with Quality and Logistics, monitoring performance on delivery, quality and pricing to ensure optimal service levels are achieved.

Conduct supplier audits with Quality Management and visit suppliers to proactively resolve issues and identify opportunities for performance improvement.

Ensure all necessary legal and compliance documentation, such as framework agreements and NDAs, are in place.

Build and maintain effective networks with internal stakeholders (Engineering, Sales, Production, and Quality), ensuring procurement is a key partner in project planning and execution.

Commercial & Project Management

Lead annual price negotiations with local suppliers, aligning with the material field specialist (MFS) strategy to deliver on cost-reduction targets.

Drive cost savings by renegotiating supplier offers, generating CSR II savings, and ensuring materials are bought at the most competitive price.

Oversee the end-to-end quotation process: manage RFQs, analyse quotes using comparison tools (COQ), and make strategic sourcing recommendations.

Participate actively in project meetings with internal and external customers, identifying measures to reduce costs and delivery timescales before the technical specification is finalised.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

Take full responsibility for the implementation of, and compliance with, all local and regional purchasing strategies and processes.

Oversee the end-to-end operational procurement and logistics cycle, from placing purchase orders through to final delivery, including the active management of supplier delivery performance and material creation.

Manage all purchasing and logistics data within SAP, ensuring the accuracy of material master data, source lists and pricing information.

Lead the resolution of all invoicing queries, including blocked invoices, to ensure timely and accurate payment processing.

Manage the monthly MCR/CSR data verification and reporting process.

Ensure all purchasing decisions are fully documented in accordance with company guidelines, maintaining comprehensive files for all supplier and transaction data.

Identify and drive opportunities for process improvements within Purchasing and Logistics, utilising continuous improvement (CIP) methodologies.

This position is an SL1 level position.

Qualifications

Candidate Profile - This is an SL1 position

Essential Experience & Skills

Proven experience in a senior purchasing or materials management role, ideally within a technical or manufacturing environment.

Demonstrable experience in leading and developing a team.

A proactive and results-driven leadership style, with the ability to perform effectively under pressure and navigate business challenges.

Excellent relationship management and negotiation skills, with a track record of managing key internal and external stakeholders.

Strong commercial acumen and experience working effectively across multiple business functions.

A relevant business or technical qualification (e.g., CIPS, Degree in Business or Engineering).

Prior experience with SAP.

Excellent skills in MS-Office, Experience with Power-BI and AI-Tools.

A flexible working style and a willingness to travel for supplier visits, project meetings, and regional conferences as required.

Additional Information

We offer a competitive package including;

• First class training and support
• Benefits: 26 days holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing to 30 days with service, generous Pension, Life Assurance, Staff discounts, Employee Assistance Programme.

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