Procurement Manager

Procurement Manager
Essex
£65,000

The opportunity An established engineering and manufacturing business operating within a complex, project‑driven environment is looking to appoint a Procurement Manager to lead all sourcing, materials planning and inbound supply activity across multiple programmes.
This is a senior, hands‑on role with real influence. You’ll be responsible for ensuring materials, components and external services are available to support demanding production schedules while delivering strong commercial outcomes and driving long‑term supplier performance.
Working closely with production, engineering, programme management and finance, you’ll operate across both the strategic and operational elements of procurement and supply, helping to keep delivery on track in a technically complex setting.

Key responsibilities
Define and deliver an effective procurement and supply strategy aligned to business and programme requirements
Lead all procurement activity, including sourcing, supplier selection, commercial negotiation and contract placement
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to improve cost, delivery reliability and quality performance
Identify supply risks early and implement mitigation plans, including alternative sourcing and capacity planning
Oversee materials planning and scheduling to ensure continuity of supply into manufacturing
Own and manage MRP processes, ensuring accuracy of demand, lead times and inventory parameters
Work closely with production and engineering teams to manage change, priorities and build requirements
Drive effective inventory management, balancing availability with working capital and space constraints
Take ownership of inbound logistics and material flow from supplier through to point of use
Monitor supplier KPIs, resolve issues proactively and support continuous improvement initiatives
Maintain integrity of ERP/MRP data relating to pricing, lead times, stock and supplier information
Provide clear visibility and reporting on supply status, risks, cost exposure and performance
Champion process, system and ways‑of‑working improvements across procurement and supply operationsAbout you You’ll be an experienced Procurement / Supply Chain professional with a background in manufacturing or complex engineering environments.
You’re likely to bring:

Strong experience across procurement, supplier management and materials planning
Proven commercial and negotiation capability, with a track record of delivering value
A solid understanding of MRP/ERP systems, inventory control and production‑led planning
Experience operating in low‑volume, high‑variation or build‑to‑order manufacturing environments
The ability to analyse data and forecasts to support confident, informed decision‑making
A practical, solutions‑focused approach with the confidence to influence across functions
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting
Professional qualifications in procurement, supply chain or engineering (e.g. CIPS, APICS/CPIM) are advantageous, though experience is highly valuedWhy apply?
A senior, influential role within a technically complex manufacturing business
The opportunity to shape procurement and supply performance end‑to‑end
Exposure to specialist, high‑profile production programmes
A collaborative, engineering‑led culture with real autonomy