Strategic Purchasing Manager

Strategic Purchasing Manager

Location: Hailsham, East Sussex
Job Type: Permanent
Start Date: Immediate
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Holiday Entitlement: 25 days + Bank Holidays
Salary: £45 - £55K + Private Health Insurance

Are you an experienced procurement professional with a strong technical background? We are looking for a Strategic Purchasing Manager to take full ownership of procurement activities within a specialist technical manufacturing environment. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on negotiation, supplier management, and driving value through global sourcing strategies.

About the Role

As a Strategic Purchasing Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping procurement strategy, ensuring the timely delivery of materials to meet project deadlines while maintaining cost and quality standards. Working closely with engineering teams, you ll understand critical design and supply chain paths to assess and mitigate risks to project delivery.

Your focus will be on achieving best value through supplier performance, long-term relationship management, and effective sourcing strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the end-to-end procurement process, including specification, cost analysis, ordering, quality control, and supplier management.
• Interpret and understand engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Support re-engineering activities to deliver cost and value improvements.
• Source parts globally and negotiate favourable terms with suppliers.
• Manage lead times, production schedules, and ensure on-time delivery.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships worldwide.
• Develop supplier performance metrics to track quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Resolve invoice queries to ensure smooth financial transactions.
• Optimise costs while maintaining product quality standards.

Skills & Experience

• Proven engineering background.
• Previous experience as a Technical Buyer or in a similar procurement role within a technical manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of components, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and deliver results under pressure.
• Full UK driving licence, with flexibility for occasional UK and overseas travel.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package
• Private health insurance
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

This Strategic Purchasing Manager position is based in Hailsham, East Sussex. Please note this role cannot be carried out remotely.

If you are ready to take on a challenging and rewarding opportunity as a Strategic Purchasing Manager, we d love to hear from you.