Procurement Lead - #2170157

We are recruiting for an experienced and commercially driven Procurement Lead to join an innovative and growing manufacturing business based in Birmingham.

This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive procurement professional to take ownership of strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, purchasing activities and cost optimisation across an established international supplier base spanning the UK, Europe and Asia.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing procurement strategies, improving supplier performance, negotiating commercial agreements and ensuring the business continues to source high-quality components at competitive prices.

Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Finance teams, you will have the autonomy to drive purchasing improvements and contribute directly to the company's continued growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Procurement & Sourcing

• Develop and implement effective procurement and category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Manage sourcing activities across UK, European and Asian suppliers.
• Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers to improve competitiveness and reduce purchasing risks.
• Lead supplier negotiations covering pricing, contracts, payment terms and commercial agreements.
• Identify and deliver measurable cost-saving opportunities without compromising product quality.
• Evaluate alternative sourcing opportunities and implement dual-sourcing strategies where appropriate.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed quality, cost and delivery KPIs.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and implement improvement initiatives.
• Resolve supplier-related commercial and quality concerns.
• Work collaboratively with Engineering and Quality teams to ensure components meet technical specifications and relevant certification requirements.
• Support supplier audits, qualification processes and sourcing change control.

Procurement Operations & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee purchasing activities, including RFQs, tendering, purchase orders and contract management.
• Improve procurement processes, reporting and supplier governance.
• Utilise ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing information, supplier records and procurement performance.
• Analyse expenditure and purchasing trends to identify savings and efficiency opportunities.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) projects by sourcing components, assessing supplier capabilities and negotiating competitive agreements.
• Drive continuous improvement using structured problem-solving and Lean principles.
• Support the development of procurement policies, procedures and best practices.

Skills & Experience Required

• 5+ years' experience in procurement or purchasing, ideally within a manufacturing or engineering environment.

• Proven experience of strategic sourcing, supplier management and contract negotiation.

• Strong commercial awareness with a demonstrable track record of delivering procurement savings.

• Experience sourcing components and materials internationally, particularly from the UK, Europe and Asia.

• Excellent negotiation, communication and supplier relationship management skills.

• Strong understanding of supplier quality, risk management and sourcing compliance.

• Experience using ERP/MRP or purchasing systems.

• Ability to interpret procurement data, analyse supplier costs and identify commercial opportunities.

• Comfortable working cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Finance.

• A proactive, hands-on approach with strong organisational and problem-solving skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience sourcing manufactured components, engineered products or consumer goods.
• Spoken Mandarin and/or Cantonese to support direct communication with international suppliers.
• Experience in supplier development, dual sourcing and global procurement.
• Knowledge of Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and supplier qualification.
• Experience managing or mentoring purchasing professionals.
• Familiarity with MRPeasy or similar ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience using AI tools to improve procurement analysis, administration and supplier communications.
• CIPS Level 4 or above, or working towards MCIPS.

The Ideal Candidate

• We are looking for a commercially astute and ambitious Procurement Manager who enjoys taking ownership and delivering results.

• You will be confident negotiating with suppliers, challenging existing purchasing arrangements and identifying opportunities to improve cost, quality and supplier performance.

• You'll thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where you can make a genuine impact, introduce new ideas and develop procurement processes as the business grows.

• Strong stakeholder management, attention to detail and the ability to balance commercial priorities with technical requirements will be essential.

Why Apply?

• Join an innovative and ambitious manufacturing business experiencing continued development.

• Take ownership of procurement strategy and international supplier relationships.

• Work with a div