Role is office based in Runcorn
Our client is a European market leader in automation solutions who, due to an exciting period of growth, are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Procurement Manager to lead their sourcing and purchasing efforts. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in optimising costs, ensuring the quality and timely delivery of goods and services, and fostering strong supplier relationships.
As Procurement Manager, you will develop, implement, and manage comprehensive procurement strategies, policies, and procedures that align with overall business objectives, building strong cross functional relationships with stakeholders across the business.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the end-to-end strategic sourcing process.
* Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities and demand management initiatives without compromising quality or supply security.
* Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers, market trends, and sourcing opportunities.
* Negotiate and agree on advantageous contract terms, pricing, and service level agreements (SLAs) with suppliers to secure the best value for money.
* Draft, review, and manage contracts, ensuring compliance with legal and organisational requirements.
* Perform value-for-money reviews of existing contracts and renegotiate terms as needed.
* Build, maintain, and strengthen long-term, ethical relationships with critical suppliers and vendors.
* Monitor and evaluate supplier performance (quality, delivery, compliance, service) against agreed-upon KPIs and contracts.
* Oversee the procure-to-pay process, including the management of purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.
* Manage procurement budgets and track key functional metrics (KPIs) to report on spending, savings, and performance.
* Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Finance, Legal, Operations) to forecast demand and align procurement activities with business needs.
Skills & Qualifications:
* Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in a professional procurement, purchasing, or supply chain management role, with significant experience in strategic sourcing and contract negotiation.
* Ideally experience in a specific sector e.g., Manufacturing
* Excellent negotiation, persuasion, and influencing skills.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, including proficiency in spend analysis, data interpretation, and report generation.
* Deep understanding of commercial and financial drivers, budgeting, and cost control.
* Competency with e-procurement systems, ERP software, and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).
* Knowledge of risk management, sustainability, and ethical sourcing practices in the supply chain.