Procurement Manager

Hitchin | £55,000 – £60,000 | Permanent

If you enjoy procurement roles where you can get involved, make decisions and see the impact of what you’re doing, this could be a really interesting role for you.

I am working with an established specialist manufacturer that is looking for a Procurement Manager to take ownership of its day-to-day procurement function.

This is a hands-on role where an understanding of electronic components, PCBAs and the challenges of purchasing within an electronics manufacturing environment will be particularly important.

You will be leading a small team, managing suppliers, solving supply issues, negotiating costs and looking at where things could be done better.

The business purchases a broad mix of materials, from finished PCBAs and electronic and electromechanical components through to plastics, fixings and other manufactured parts.

There is plenty already in place, but equally plenty of scope for someone to come in, ask questions and make improvements. Curiosity, analytical decision making and good people management experience will really stand you in good stead.

This is predominantly an office-based role in Hitchin. The expectation is to be on site for the vast majority of the week, working closely with the wider operation, although there is sensible flexibility when needed.

What you will be doing:

• Leading day-to-day procurement activities across direct and indirect spend

• Managing and developing supplier relationships, including delivery, quality, cost and service performance

• Supporting and developing a small procurement team

• Negotiating with suppliers and identifying cost reduction opportunities

• Looking at alternative sourcing, supplier risk and opportunities to strengthen the supply chain

• Working closely with Manufacturing, Planning, Engineering and Quality

• Supporting new product introduction (NPI) and ensuring suppliers are ready to meet future requirements

• Managing supplier agreements and commercial discussions

• Using data to identify issues, trends and opportunities for improvement

• Getting involved when things don’t go to plan and helping the wider business find solutions

What we need from you:

We are looking for someone who has built solid procurement experience within an electronics or electromechanical manufacturing environment and enjoys being close to the products, suppliers and internal teams.

You will understand the challenges of sourcing electronic components and assemblies, managing lead times and ensuring production has what it needs, when it needs it. This is alongside the right technical understanding, commercial awareness and confidence to challenge how things are currently done.

Required skills & experience:

• Strong procurement or purchasing experience within electronics or electromechanical manufacturing

• Good understanding of electronic components, PCBAs and associated manufacturing supply chains

• Experience managing supplier relationships, negotiating costs and ensuring continuity of supply

• Previous people management or team leadership experience

• Proven ability to deliver cost savings and supplier improvements

• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems

• Strong commercial and analytical skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a busy manufacturing environment

• Confident working with stakeholders across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain

• CIPS would be useful, but isn’t essential. Experience working with international suppliers would also be beneficial.

• You will be expected to occasionally travel to suppliers which includes Far East, Europe and within the UK.

What can you expect in return:

• Salary of £55,000 – £60,000

• Company bonus scheme

• 25 days’ annual leave

• Company pension

• Private healthcare

• Health cash plan

• Employee Assistance Programme

If you are a Procurement Manager who still enjoys the operational side of procurement and wants the opportunity to influence, improve and shape how things are done, I would be very happy to tell you more.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.