Purchasing Team Lead Location: Blackpool Sector: Manufacturing Type: Full-Time, Permanent Salary: £35,000 - £50,000 Benefits CIPS Study Support (if required) Are you a strategic and commercially astute procurement professional with proven leadership experience? We're recruiting on behalf of a well-established and growing manufacturing company based in Blackpool, looking to appoint a Purchasing Team Lead to manage and develop their procurement function. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about driving value, building supplier relationships, and leading a high-performing team. Key Responsibilities: * Lead the strategic procurement of goods and materials across a multi-million-pound spend portfolio to support stock holdings and production requirements. * Manage, mentor, and develop a team of three procurement professionals. * Build and maintain strong relationships with UK and international suppliers, ensuring long-term partnerships. * Negotiate pricing, service levels, and delivery terms; manage supplier contracts and agreements. * Identify and onboard new suppliers to increase supply chain resilience and competitiveness. * Collaborate with internal teams to convert demand forecasts into accurate purchasing plans and schedules. * Oversee the full purchase order process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. * Identify opportunities for cost savings through value analysis and strategic sourcing. * Work closely with R&D, Product Design, QA, and Sales teams to align procurement with wider business goals. * Monitor market trends and commodity price movements to support informed decision-making. * Utilise the in-house commercial system for all purchasing activities and reporting. Candidate Profile: * Demonstrates a genuine interest in procurement and supply chain best practices. * A confident and effective team leader with strong communication skills. * Proactive, commercially aware, and self-motivated. * Experienced in using commercial procurement systems and Microsoft Office tools. * Excellent analytical, numerical, and organisational skills. * High attention to detail and able to work effectively under pressure. * Previous experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting is preferred. * CIPS qualified or willing to study towards qualification (study support available). What’s On Offer: * Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package * Supportive working environment and team culture * Career progression opportunities within a successful and growing manufacturer * CIPS study support, if required