Purchasing Manager (12-Month Maternity Cover) Location: Hybrid – Home/Factory (Thetford) or Home/London Office Salary: Up to £50,000 DOE Contract: 12-Month Fixed Term (Maternity Cover, starting January 2025) About the Company This is a dynamic, fast-moving FMCG business that prides itself on operational excellence and innovation. You’ll be joining a team that values efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality across its supply chain and procurement functions. The company invests in its people, offering opportunities to lead a small but highly impactful team, make strategic decisions, and see tangible results from your work. With a focus on continuous improvement and collaboration, you’ll have the chance to influence business growth, optimise processes, and build strong relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders. If you thrive in a hands-on environment where your skills directly shape outcomes, this role offers both challenge and reward. About the Role We’re seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to take ownership of the company’s procurement function, managing third-party suppliers and ensuring the smooth delivery of materials, products, and services. This role is key to driving value, negotiating contracts, controlling budgets, and providing strategic insights to senior management. You’ll lead procurement activities across the business, applying best-in-class sourcing and supplier management practices to deliver cost, quality, and compliance objectives. Key Responsibilities Manage all procurement activities for goods and services. Lead supplier negotiations, tender processes, and contract management. Develop and implement supply strategies aligned with business goals. Analyse market trends and present strategic recommendations to senior management. Monitor and manage purchasing budgets, delivery schedules, and supplier performance. Build and maintain strong supplier relationships. Lead and support a small purchasing team, ensuring high standards and ongoing development. Collaborate cross-functionally to support projects and S&OP processes. About You Qualifications: CIPS, degree, or equivalent in Logistics, Business Administration, or Purchasing (desirable). Experience: Strong previous experience in a senior purchasing role (essential). Experience in the FMCG sector (essential). Exposure to packaging, materials, or chemical environments (desirable). Previous experience managing a small team (essential). Skills & Attributes: Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Commercially astute with strong analytical ability. Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working to deadlines. Confident using procurement systems and IT tools. Proactive, collaborative, and motivated to drive results. Why Apply? Opportunity to lead procurement for a respected FMCG brand. Hybrid working (home and site-based flexibility). Join a collaborative, supportive team culture. See real, measurable impact from your work. Interested? Apply now or contact Katie Dobson at Select Recruitment for more information.