Purchasing Lead £34,000 per annum Monday - Friday 8.00 to 16.00 Permanent role My long standing and award-winning client is seeking a Purchasing Lead to manage all purchasing activities, ensuring cost control, supplier performance, quality compliance, and material availability to support production and growth. Candidate Profile: 5 years experience in manufacturing purchasing (automotive/aerospace preferred) Strong negotiation and commercial skills MRP/ERP system experience essential Data-driven, organised, and proactive Confident working in a fast-paced SME environment Strong communication and problem-solving skills Proficient in MS Office Key Responsibilities: Strategic Procurement Develop and deliver purchasing strategy aligned to business goals Drive cost reduction and value engineering initiatives Lead supplier negotiations (price, terms, agreements) Benchmark raw material pricing (stainless, inconel, aluminium, consumables) Support expansion into aerospace, defence, and regulated sectors Operational Purchasing Manage purchase orders in line with MRP requirements Monitor supplier schedules and ensure on-time delivery (OTIF) Expedite critical materials as needed Maintain accurate system data (lead times, MOQ, pricing) Supplier Management Build and manage supplier relationships and performance Conduct supplier reviews and support corrective actions Identify and onboard new suppliers to reduce risk and cost Cost & Inventory Control Control spend in line with budget and cash flow targets Negotiate payment terms and identify cost-saving opportunities Optimise stock levels and reduce working capital Oversee stock takes, cycle counts, and discrepancy resolution Financial & Cross-Functional Support Provide cost data (pricing, forecasts, freight, duties) to Finance Support standard costing and budgeting processes Work closely with Production, Engineering, and NPI teams Report purchasing performance to senior management Compliance & Risk Ensure ethical procurement and supplier compliance Mitigate supply chain risks and maintain traceability Support contingency planning for supply disruption CRC Recruitment are a leading Midlands based recruitment consultancy covering vacancies across the UK. We have been established since 2003 and have a reputation for high service standards to both candidates and clients. We supply permanent or temporary staff to all areas of business covering a variety of different industry sectors.