Senior Purchasing Manager

ZipRecruiter; Henley-in-Arden; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement firm in Telford is seeking a Group Purchasing Manager to lead the purchasing function. The successful candidate will manage supplier negotiations and drive significant cost savings while overseeing a small team. Ideal candidates will have experience in wholesale, retail, or e-commerce procurement, along with advanced Excel skills. This full-time position offers competitive salary and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus and pension

Flexible/hybrid working

Qualifications

• Proven experience in group buying/procurement in wholesale, retail, or e-commerce.
• Track record of successful cost reductions and negotiation wins.
• Highly analytical with advanced Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and centralise the purchasing function based in Telford.
• Manage and develop a team of existing employees.
• Take ownership of supplier negotiations and contract renewals.

Skills

Wholesale buying knowledge

Retail procurement experience

E-commerce familiarity

Advanced Excel skills

Supplier negotiation skills

Leadership experience

Tools

Purchasing/ERP systems

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Group Purchasing Manager / Head of Buying (Wholesale, Retail & eCommerce)

Location: Telford (with hybrid working potential)

Salary: £45,000-£55,000

The Opportunity

We are looking for an outstanding, data-driven Group Purchasing Manager / Head of Buying to join our Telford HQ. Reporting to senior management, you’ll lead our central purchasing function—overseeing a small team, managing supplier negotiations (China, UK, Europe), and using your analytical skills to drive aggressive cost reductions, better terms, and improved supply chain performance.

You’ll become the “face” of our purchasing team—owning supplier relationships, modernising our buying processes, and helping the business scale profitably.

Responsibilities

• Lead and centralise the purchasing function based in Telford
• Manage and develop a small team of existing employees (two) for best-in-class admin and buying support
• Take full ownership of supplier negotiations, contract renewals, and building strong, strategic supplier partnerships (especially China, UK, and Europe)
• Deliver aggressive cost savings, smarter purchasing decisions, and robust stock/inventory management
• Use data, market insights, and advanced Excel analysis to optimise buying decisions and track supplier performance
• Streamline, digitalise, and improve purchasing systems and reporting
• Collaborate with warehouse, sales, and finance teams to drive overall business profitability
• Act as the “face” of purchasing for the business, representing us professionally with all suppliers and partners

Qualifications

• Proven experience in wholesale, retail, or e-commerce group buying/procurement (ideally with exposure to China/Asia supply chain)
• Track record of successful cost reductions, negotiation wins, and process improvements
• Strong commercial acumen—can spot and deliver on economies of scale
• Highly analytical, advanced Excel skills, comfortable using data to drive decisions
• Leadership or team management experience (even small teams)
• Personable and confident—able to represent our brand and build strong supplier relationships
• Experience with purchasing/ERP systems a plus
• Proactive, hungry, and happy to take ownership

What We Offer

• A pivotal leadership role in a profitable, growing group business
• Real impact—drive savings, make change, and shape our future
• Supportive, ambitious team with an open culture
• Competitive salary + bonus, pension, and flexible/hybrid working possible

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person