Purchasing Manager

Overview

In this Purchasing Manager role, you will lead the procurement function to secure a reliable supply of products while driving cost efficiency. You’ll shape purchasing strategy, manage supplier performance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to support growth. You’ll balance strategic sourcing with hands-on negotiations to deliver value in a fast-paced FMCG environment. Your Mandarin fluency enables effective global supplier relationships and international sourcing. This is a chance to influence profitability and operational excellence at scale.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Purchasing team with coaching and performance management
• Create and implement procurement strategies to boost profitability and efficiency
• Manage end-to-end purchasing: sourcing, supplier selection, contracts, and performance
• Build relationships with UK and international suppliers
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, payment terms, lead times, and service levels
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement
• Research market trends and source new products to support growth
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Operations, Technical and Finance on launches and initiatives
• Manage purchasing budgets, analyse spend and deliver cost-saving initiatives
• Support inventory optimisation while ensuring product availability
• Produce purchasing reports and commercial recommendations for senior management

Key requirements

• Senior Purchasing/Procurement leadership experience (7+ years)
• Proven track record in supplier negotiations and managing commercial agreements
• Experience leading and developing purchasing teams
• Strong commercial awareness, negotiation and analytical skills
• Excellent organisational and stakeholder management abilities
• Experience in fast-paced food/FMCG environments
• Experience knowledge of international sourcing (advantageous)

• Leadership and people development
• Negotiation and influencing
• Analytical thinking
• Stakeholder management
• ERP or purchasing systems
• Excel and data analysis

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