Whats On Offer: Competitive salary circa £40,000 Comprehensive benefits package, including employee assistance programme and death in service Opportunities for training, professional development, and career progression We are recruiting on behalf of a well-established, forward-thinking business in Peterlee, looking for an experienced Purchasing Manager to join their team on a full-time, permanent basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional to take ownership of purchasing strategy within a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The Role: The Purchasing Manager will be key to driving cost-effective purchasing, maintaining supply continuity, managing supplier relationships, and supporting business growth. You will lead strategic sourcing and procurement, balancing commercial performance with operational efficiency and risk management. Key Responsibilities: Develop and implement purchasing strategies aligned with business objectives and supply chain requirements, driving efficiency and value Lead sourcing activities, tender processes, and supplier selection to secure competitive pricing and maximise cost-saving opportunities Negotiate contracts, monitor supplier performance, and manage relationships to ensure compliance, risk mitigation, and high service levels Maintain continuity of supply while ensuring products meet quality, regulatory, and ethical standards Oversee purchasing budgets, track cost changes, manage rebates, and analyse procurement data and KPIs to support informed decision-making Lead, coach, and develop the purchasing team to foster collaboration, high performance, and professional growth Work closely with finance, commercial, sales, and operations teams to support forecasting, demand planning, inventory management, and new product development initiatives About You: Experience in fast-moving procurement or FMCG environments Strong negotiation, commercial, and analytical skills Skilled in managing supplier performance and risk Leadership and stakeholder management experience Knowledge of sustainability and ethical sourcing standards Proficiency with ERP and procurement systems Degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience) CIPS qualification desirable Additional Information: Working hours: Monday Friday (40 hours per week)