Procurement Manager - Leeds (LS)

Optimum Recruitment Group is working on behalf of a fantastic manufacturing business based in the Leeds area who are looking to appoint a Procurement Manager.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Procurement Manager will manage the cost effective procurement of all raw material and the services portfolio; covering a range of categories to support the UK site operations plus supporting procurement activity to settle key raw material contracts for the Group.

The key areas of responsibility would be as follows:

• To establish commodity knowledge, enabling the minimisation of market exposure and exploitation of market opportunity.
• To ensure security of supply through appropriate supplier selection and contracting.
• To continually drive down costs building the leveraging position and negotiating added value in all areas of managed spend.
• To ensure appropriate purchasing involvement and influence in all areas of managed spend.
• Research the market for alternative / additional suppliers for new products.
• Manage supplier performance.
• To minimise the transactional cost of buying.
• To effectively manage the administration of the procurement process.
• Carry out Internal Management Systems audits as defined by the audit schedule.
• Ensure relevant regulatory and legislation is adhered to.
• Work alongside others within the business to promote and implement the company’s policies and goals.
• Work on your own initiative as required ensuring the smooth, efficient and effective availability of financial information is available for the business.
• Be flexible to provide the required support to the Purchasing function wherever this may be required.

The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in purchasing within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven, demonstrable track record of cost reduction.
• Professional procurement qualification (C.I.P.S.).
• Experience of buying within the manufacturing industry is preferred.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and communication skills both internally and externally.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and build good working relationships. 
• Analytical, highly numerate and able to understand complicated costing models, market indices and price structures.
• High levels of integrity and dealing with suppliers in an ethical manner.
• Comfortable with the preparation of detailed spreadsheets and use of ERP systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Reliable, tenacious and a flexible approach.
• Clean driving licence with the flexibility to travel as and when required.
• Professional at all times.

Salary up to £65,000 plus benefits. Site based role.