Purchasing Manager

Purchasing ManagerCheshire70,000 – 80,000 (dependent on experience)An established UK engineering manufacturer is looking for an experienced Purchasing Manager to take responsibility for developing and expanding its international supply chain, with a particular focus on China and the wider Asian market.This is a newly created, senior position within the business and an exciting opportunity for someone with a mechanical engineering or technical background who understands machined components, supplier development and global procurement.The successful candidate will have significant responsibility for supplier selection, commercial negotiation, cost reduction, quality and supply chain resilience. The Purchasing Manager will develop the company's international sourcing strategy while working closely with senior purchasing leadership teams.This is an office based position, with occasional international travel to meet suppliers and vendors.The Role of the Purchasing ManagerThe Purchasing Manager will be reporting directly to the Global Purchasing Director. The Purchasing Manager will take ownership of developing an international supplier base, focusing on China and the wider Asian market.The business purchases significant volumes of precision machined components and engineered parts, so supplier capability, manufacturing quality and commercial pricing is critical.The Purchasing Manager will work closely with Supplier & Quality Engineering resources based across Asia to identify and develop high quality manufacturing partners who can support the company’s international growth.The Purchasing Manager will have accountability across cost, delivery, quality and service and the authority to make decisions around supply, pricing and supplier selection.This role is ideal for someone with a good technical understanding of engineering and machining with the commercial ability to develop an international supplier network. It would be a bonus for the Purchasing Manager to have sourcing experience within China, Asia or India.The Purchasing Manager will have the opportunity to take ownership of the international sourcing strategy and develop the function as the business continues to grow.Key Responsibilities of the Purchasing ManagerDevelop and implement purchasing and sourcing strategies across China and wider Asian marketsIdentify, evaluate, audit and onboard new international suppliersIdentify and appoint high performing machine shops and manufacturing partnersSource precision machined components, engineered parts, forgings, castings and raw materialsDevelop and manage relationships with subcontract precision engineering businessesLead commercial negotiations covering pricing, contracts and supplier termsAnalyse manufacturing costs and identify opportunities to reduce total acquisition costsEnsure suppliers achieve required quality, specification and delivery standardsDevelop and maintain long term relationships with key international suppliersWork closely with Supplier & Quality Engineers based within AsiaMonitor supplier performance and implement improvements where requiredIdentify and mitigate supplier, commodity and wider supply chain risksMonitor market trends and understand their impact on material and component costsBalance supply and demand to maintain component availabilityResolve supplier disputes and commercial issuesSupport inventory strategies to improve availability, cash flow and stock managementVisit international suppliers and vendors when requiredSupport the company's wider international growth strategyDevelop and potentially build a team as the international purchasing function continues to growRequirements of the Purchasing ManagerHNC, HND or Degree within an Engineering or Technical disciplineMechanical Engineering or Technical backgroundAt least 7 year’s experience within purchasing, procurement, supply chain or commodity managementPrevious experience working with machine shops, precision engineering or machined componentsExperience purchasing precision machined or complex engineered componentsUnderstanding of machining processes and how engineered components are manufacturedUnderstanding of component manufacturing costs and supplier pricingExperience developing and managing an international subcontract or supplier baseExcellent commercial and supplier negotiation skillsKnowledge of metals, engineering specifications and technical standardsUnderstanding of material costs, acquisition costs and total cost principlesSupplier relationship and stakeholder management skillsAnalytical, organisational and leadership capabilitiesExperience using ERP systems such as SAP or OracleCommercial awareness and the ability to identify opportunities to improve profitability through effective procurementConfidence communicating and negotiating with suppliers across different countries and culturesCIPS qualification (desired)Salary & Benefits70,000 – 80,000 (dependent on experience)Healthcare cash plan, including support towards medical and eye care costsDeath in service – 2x salaryPension – 5% employee / 4% employer contribution31 day’s holiday including bank holidays, increasing with serviceChristmas shutdownInternational travelSenior level responsibility and autonomyLong term career progressionOpportunity to develop and manage a global supplier networkThis is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineering procurement professional to take ownership of an international strategy and to be involved in the growth of an established UK manufacturing business.Interested?Please contact Adele Lewis or click Apply Now.Call: 0151 209 2050 or 07537 163611 Email: adele.lewis@aspion.co.ukASPLIV