Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager

Location: Chesterfield
Salary: Up to £65,000 + Car Allowance

The Opportunity

We are working with an established and successful engineering business that is looking to appoint an experienced Purchasing Manager to join their team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a procurement professional with experience within the steel fabrication, manufacturing, or engineering sectors to take ownership of purchasing operations, supplier relationships, and continuous improvement initiatives.

You will play a key role in ensuring the business has the materials, products, and services required to operate efficiently, while driving value through effective supplier management, negotiation, and process improvements.

The Role

As Purchasing Manager, you will be responsible for managing the day-to-day purchasing function, ensuring materials are sourced efficiently, competitively, and in line with operational requirements.

Key responsibilities will include:

Managing purchasing activities across the business, ensuring materials and services are delivered on time, at the right quality, and within budget.

Developing and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers, ensuring reliability, performance, and competitive commercial terms.

Leading negotiations around pricing, contracts, and supplier agreements to achieve cost savings and added value.

Working closely with internal teams to understand requirements and support smooth production and operational delivery.

Monitoring supplier performance, market conditions, and potential supply chain risks.

Identifying opportunities to improve procurement processes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.

Supporting and developing a small purchasing team, providing guidance, coaching, and day-to-day leadership.

Managing supplier queries and resolving issues relating to quality, pricing, delivery, and service.

Supporting inventory management improvements and ensuring effective stock control processes.

Producing procurement reports and KPI updates to support business performance reviews.

Ensuring purchasing processes align with company policies and best practice.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

Proven experience in a purchasing or procurement management role within a steel fabrication, engineering, manufacturing, or similar environment.

Strong knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier management, and supply chain operations.

Experience negotiating with suppliers and delivering cost improvements.

A commercially focused approach with the ability to make informed purchasing decisions.

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships internally and externally.

Experience mentoring or managing others would be advantageous.

Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel.

Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles or inventory management systems would be beneficial.

A relevant procurement qualification such as CIPS would be advantageous.

Why Join?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing and successful business where you will have the opportunity to influence procurement strategy, strengthen supplier partnerships, and make a tangible impact on operational performance.

You will be joining a business that values expertise, continuous improvement, and the contribution of its people.

For more information please get in touch with Sharon O'Donnell or Sabrina O'Donnell at The Highfield Company