Buying Manager (Food/FMCG)

Full timeIndustry: Engineering / ProcurementCompany: HaysConsultant: Chris EvansHays office: Cardiff — 1st Floor, 5 Callaghan Square,Phone: 02920 399388Email: chris.evans5@hays.comYour New CompanyOur client is a leading engineering and services organisation based in Cardiff, providing specialist maintenance, overhaul and engineering solutions to customers across the UK. With a strong reputation for quality, safety and operational excellence, the business continues to invest in its people, processes and supplier partnerships to support future growth. Your New RoleAn exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Procurement Manager to lead the Procurement and Stores functions within a fast-paced engineering environment. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, Planning & Logistics, you will be responsible for ensuring the effective sourcing, procurement and availability of materials, goods and services to support operational requirements. You will lead procurement strategy development, enhance supplier performance, deliver commercial value and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the function. Lead, coach and develop the Procurement and Stores teams, creating a high-performing culture focused on accountability, collaboration and service excellence. Develop and implement procurement and category strategies aligned to business and operational objectives. Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and driving improvements in cost, quality and delivery performance. Manage the end-to-end procurement process for direct and indirect spend categories. Analyse supplier, spend and inventory data to identify opportunities for cost savings and operational improvements. Maintain compliance with procurement policies, governance procedures and relevant industry regulations. Lead continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and stores operations, supporting process optimisation and digitalisation. Collaborate closely with engineering, planning, production, finance and other key stakeholders to ensure business requirements are met. Proven experience in a Procurement Manager, Senior Buyer, Senior Procurement Specialist or similar procurement leadership role. CIPS qualification (or equivalent procurement qualification/experience). Strong experience in supplier sourcing, contract negotiation and supplier relationship management. Demonstrable experience leading and developing procurement and/or stores teams. Strong commercial awareness with the ability to deliver measurable cost and performance improvements. Experience managing inventory, supply chain and procurement processes. Competitive salary and benefits package. Opportunity to lead an established procurement and stores function. Career development within a growing engineering organisation. Opportunity to play a key role in driving procurement excellence and operational performance. If this opportunity is not quite right for you but you are considering a move, please get in touch to discuss other opportunities available within procurement and supply chain. #