Purchasing Manager

• Location: Thetford
• Job Type: Full-time, permanent
• Salary: £45,000 - £55,000

Join an established and growing manufacturer in Thetford! We are looking for an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead our clients Purchasing department. This role involves managing the procurement strategy in alignment with business needs and maintaining optimum stock levels to support continuous production.

• Develop and implement an effective procurement strategy that aligns with the business's operational requirements.
• Build and manage relationships with suppliers, negotiating contracts to ensure cost-effectiveness and reliability.
• Liaise with various internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely availability of materials for production.
• Work closely with the Commercial department to align purchasing with customer forecasts.
• Oversee the signing off of all purchase orders and collaborate with the Finance Director on budget management.
• Lead the Purchasing team, driving process improvements and managing Category Buyers and Administrative support.
• Monitor and report on Standard Cost Variances monthly and manage inventory to reduce costs and prevent duplication.
• Implement purchasing policies such as retrospective discount negotiation and supplier stock holding volumes.
• Initiate a Just-In-Time procurement strategy to optimize financial and storage resources.
• Set and monitor meaningful KPIs for the supply chain team.

• Considerable experience in a similar role within personal care, pharma, or food supply chains.
• CIPS Qualified level 4 or above with significant purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in IT skills, especially Excel.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong communication skills, capable of engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work well under pressure.
• Proactive team player, honest, hardworking, and reliable.
• Ability to work independently and make informed decisions within the role's scope.
• Fluency in a second language is advantageous but not essential.

• Competitive salary
• Opportunities for personal and professional development in a dynamic industry.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• 30 days holiday including bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Access to industry events and product launches.