CIPS-qualified. Supply chain savvy. LEAN-thinking.
If that's you, this role is your next big step.
Externiture is seeking a
Procurement & Planning Manager
to join our team in
Thatcham, Berkshire
. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious professional with strong procurement, supply chain, and scheduling experience to play a pivotal role in how we deliver
high-quality, sustainable transport infrastructure across the UK
.
Procurement and Planning Manager
Manufacturing - Public Transport Infrastructure
Thatcham, Berkshire
£48,000 (DOE) + Excellent Benefits
Full-time | Mon–Fri | Permanent
About the Role
You will lead our procurement, supply chain, and production scheduling functions. This is a pivotal role ensuring cost-effective, timely, and high-quality supply of materials and services to support our continued growth.
You'll be responsible for developing
procurement strategies,
managing
supplier relationships
, optimising our
MRP system
, and embedding
LEAN principles
across procurement and scheduling. Working closely with our Operations, Production, and Delivery teams, you'll ensure smooth project delivery while driving efficiency and value through the supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & MRP
* Develop and manage procurement strategies to achieve best value, quality, and on-time delivery.
* Negotiate with suppliers and manage contracts.
* Oversee the full procurement cycle including supplier selection, tendering, ordering, and delivery.
* Optimise and maintain the MRP system for accurate demand planning and inventory control.
* Monitor supplier KPIs (cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness) and drive continuous improvement.
Planning
* Own and maintain the Master Production Schedule.
* Develop and manage weekly, monthly, and quarterly production plans.
* Lead weekly planning meetings with Production, Delivery, and Sales Admin teams.
* Implement LEAN scheduling practices to optimise resources and reduce waste.
* Provide forward visibility on capacity and lead times to support customer commitments.
Continuous Improvement
* Embed LEAN thinking into procurement and scheduling processes.
* Lead supplier development initiatives.
* Manage and develop direct reports.
* Support operational initiatives to improve procurement, MRP usage, and scheduling.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
* CIPS Level 5 or equivalent procurement qualification
* Proven procurement management experience with strong negotiation and supplier management skills
* Demonstrated experience in production scheduling and resource planning
* Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
* Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across teams
* Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and procurement software
Desirable
* Experience of applying LEAN principles in procurement, supply chain, or production environments
* Experience within manufacturing or infrastructure industries
Benefits
* £48,000 salary (Depending on Experience)
* Company pension scheme
* Life assurance & medical expenses scheme
* Health & wellbeing support package
* Performance-related bonus scheme
* Generous holiday allowance
* Training & development opportunities (including CIPS progression & leadership)
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 40 hours/week
Office-based, with occasional travel to clients and suppliers as required.
A UK Leader in Public Transport Infrastructure
Externiture is a leading UK-based designer, manufacturer and installer of public transport infrastructure. We specialise in bus and cycle shelters, bus stop infrastructure and accessories, as well as offering refurbishment and maintenance services, and civil engineering works across the UK. Additionally, we develop and operate industry-leading software solutions that streamline data collection and planning for infrastructure management.
Based in Thatcham (Berkshire) and Glasgow, Externiture works alongside the largest County Councils and PTEs, as well as the smallest Town and Parish Councils, developers, and other organisations to provide exceptional products and services.
Our innovative business is driven by a dedicated team and a commitment to continuously improving our internal systems, software and management capabilities. We are proud of our team's contributions which have helped us to grow our business by 200% in the last 3 years. We are a People Process and Armed Forces Covenant employer, and we are actively working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
We recently embarked on a lean transformation, following the principles of Paul Akers' Two-Second Lean, to drive a culture of Continuous Improvement through every aspect of our company.