Purchasing Manager

About A2B's Client:

A global industrial manufacturer within the rail and infrastructure sector, part of a larger international group, is looking to appoint a Purchasing Manager to lead procurement activities at one of its key production sites.

This is a hands-on, site-based role in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will take full ownership of purchasing performance, supplier relationships, and cost strategy, while working closely with production, quality, and engineering teams.

Role Overview:

Reporting directly to the Site General Manager (with a dotted line to the Purchasing Director), you will be responsible for defining and deploying the purchasing strategy for the site and ensuring operational excellence across all procurement activities.

You will manage a small on-site team and act as a key business partner to internal stakeholders, while remaining closely connected to day-to-day factory operations.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Define and implement the site purchasing strategy aligned with cost, quality, and supply objectives
• Lead supplier sourcing, RFQs, tenders, and contract negotiations, including framework agreements
• Drive cost reduction and productivity initiatives across direct, indirect, and CAPEX spend
• Ensure security of supply, including dual sourcing for critical components
• Manage purchasing for components, consumables, MRO, and production-related CAPEX
• Act as the interface between suppliers and internal teams (production, quality, engineering, commercial)
• Monitor supplier performance, manage disputes, and ensure contractual compliance
• Track purchasing budgets and KPIs; provide regular reporting to site and group leadership
• Analyse market trends and cost drivers (raw materials, energy, transport, inflation)
• Lead and develop a small purchasing team on site

Environment & products

• Industrial / manufacturing setting with strong production focus
• Product lines include engineered fastening systems and innovative materials solutions
• Supplier base is focused rather than highly fragmented, but the operational pace is demanding
• High level of daily interaction with production and operations teams

Qualifications / Experience:

• 10+ years' experience in purchasing/procurement within an industrial manufacturing environment
• Strong hands-on negotiation experience with suppliers
• Proven exposure to factory-based purchasing, close to production
• Comfortable operating in a high-pressure, operational setting
• Experience managing or leading buyers / purchasing support staff
• Strong commercial judgement and stakeholder communication skills
• Fluent English required (international supplier interaction)
• Willingness to be on site 3–4 days per week (limited WFH)

Additional Details:

• This role is not suited to purely corporate or HQ-based procurement profiles.
• Successful candidates will be those who are comfortable being on the factory floor, close to the reality of manufacturing.