Job Description:

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 operations

About 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 valued

Why 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