We are seeking a highly competent and motivated Estimating & Procurement Manager to lead our cost estimation and purchasing function reporting to the Operations Director. This key leadership role involves managing a team of three professionals, overseeing accurate and timely quotations, strategic purchasing, supplier relations, and delivering data-driven production and procurement reports. The successful candidate will bring a combination of strong commercial acumen, technical print/packaging knowledge and leadership capability.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
· Prepare details, accurate job estimates for printed packaging products based on customer specifications, materials, machine capabilities, and labour requirements.
· Ensure estimates are accurate and aligned with company strategy and market benchmarks.
· Liaise with sales, customer service and production teams to support client quote requests.
· Develop and maintain pricing models, factoring in production time, materials, machine usage, waste, and other variable costs.
· Oversee all purchasing activities for raw materials, outsourced services, production supplies
· Negotiate with suppliers to ensure best value in terms of cost, quality, and service levels.
· Monitor supplier performance, pricing trends, and material availability across the UK and European network.
· Develop and implement procurement strategies that align with company goals.
Set development objectives for colleagues within your team and monitor performance
Identify any individual training requirements within the Technical team and advise the Operations Director accordingly
Produce weekly/monthly reports on production costs, estimate accuracy, material consumption, and production & procurement KPIs.
Present cost performance data and strategic purchasing insights to senior management
Work closely with production and technical teams to ensure feasibility and efficiency of proposed specifications
Keep up to date of emerging materials, sustainable packaging options, and industry
Comply with all certification requirements
Skills and Attributes:
Previous supervisory experience essential
Previous experience of working within a commercial field, ideally purchasing and estimating
Experience working within packaging sector desirable
Commercial Acumen: Able to balance customer needs with margin and cost considerations.
Excellent interpersonal, leadership and organisational skills
Confident and enthusiastic, with a desire to continuously learn and develop yourself and others through mentoring and training
Willingness and ability to communicate company directives to the team in positive, concise and effective manner
IT literate and fully conversant with Microsoft Office suite
Experience of supplier negotiation, or a willingness to learn appropriate techniques and practices for day-to-day supplier interaction
Proactive character of high integrity, accountability and flexibility