Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager

Our client is a well-established engineering business, supplying products and solutions across Ireland, the UK, Europe and the Middle East for over 50 years. Employing approximately 40 people at its Newry site, the business combines industry expertise with an ambition to keep innovating in its sector. The company is now seeking an experienced purchasing professional to take ownership of materials purchasing and stock management.

The Job:

Reporting into the business, the Purchasing Manager will take ownership of sourcing, supplier relationships, cost control and stock availability across a busy manufacturing site.

The successful candidate will:

Take ownership of purchasing raw materials, components, bought-in products and subcontracted services, including aluminium, steel, galvanising and plastics.

Develop a competitive supplier base across the UK, Ireland and selected international markets, identifying alternative sources where appropriate.

Negotiate and benchmark pricing, terms, order quantities and delivery arrangements, balancing cost with quality, service, lead time and risk.

Build effective relationships with key suppliers, monitoring performance and supply risk across cost, quality, reliability and lead times.

Set appropriate stock levels, reorder points and purchasing schedules, working closely with Production and Operations to anticipate demand.

Reduce avoidable stock-outs and emergency orders while controlling working capital and ageing stock.

Maintain visibility of materials spend, delivering measurable savings and value improvements.

Line-manage and develop the Purchasing Officer, and work across Finance, Operations, Production, Technical and Commercial teams to strengthen purchasing processes and decision-making.

The Person:

We are seeking a commercially minded purchasing professional with a strong track record in buying or purchasing within a manufacturing, engineering or closely related environment.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

Experience at Buyer, Senior Buyer, Purchasing Specialist or Purchasing Manager level.

Experience purchasing metals such as aluminium or steel and/or engineered components, rather than solely consumables or services.

Evidence of effective supplier negotiation and of improving price, terms or overall value.

Experience managing supplier relationships and performance, including supplier visits where appropriate.

Practical knowledge of stock control, purchasing schedules, reorder points and stock takes.

Strong commercial judgement, numeracy and attention to detail, with confidence using spreadsheets and purchasing or stock-control systems.

Clear communication skills and the ability to influence colleagues and suppliers constructively.

Experience of international sourcing, construction products, ISO-accredited environments, or a relevant purchasing qualification such as CIPS would all be an advantage, though none are essential.

The successful candidate will be commercial and analytical, but also practical and delivery-focused a proactive, credible relationship-builder who is comfortable with autonomy and the breadth of a lean manufacturing SME.

To Apply:

If you have the experience and drive to take ownership of purchasing and stock management for a growing manufacturing business, please send a tailored CV using the appropriate method or call Lucas Executive Search for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Skills:
Purchasing Manager Senior Buyer Buyer

WHJS1_NI