Purchasing Manager

Our client is a well-established manufacturer operating across heavy industry sectors — off-road equipment, defense, rail, mining, and more. Their procurement function is global, their supply chain is complex, and they're growing. This is a senior leadership role with real scope: you'll own the Buy Complete purchasing function end-to-end, lead a team, and play a key role in expanding their international supplier network — particularly across Asia and India. If you're a procurement leader who thrives in high mix, low volume manufacturing, knows how to build supplier relationships across borders, and wants a role where your decisions shape the whole organization — we'd love to connect. ────────────────────────────────── WHAT YOU'LL DO ────────────────────────────────── ▸ Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing purchasing team — including a Buyer, Asian Sourcing Leader, and Purchasing Assistant — building accountability and a culture of continuous improvement ▸ Own the full Buy Complete supply chain function: supplier qualification, onboarding, relationship management, and performance oversight across local and international sources ▸ Drive cost reduction and benchmarking initiatives — re-sourcing, commercial negotiations, and CI activities ▸ Lead trimester vendor pricing preparation and final price negotiations with overseas suppliers ▸ Manage long lead time materials, forecast-driven purchasing, and inventory risk within a fast-paced manufacturing environment ▸ Assess and mitigate geopolitical, logistical, and supply chain risks associated with global sourcing ▸ Utilize ERP/MRP systems to support purchasing planning, inventory targets, and operational decision-making ▸ Collaborate cross-functionally with Scheduling, Production, Quality, Engineering, and Customer Service to keep the floor moving ▸ Develop and expand the supplier network within India and other strategic global sourcing regions ▸ Develop, implement, and communicate purchasing policies, procedures, and best practices across the department ────────────────────────────────── WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR ────────────────────────────────── ▸ 3+ years of leadership experience managing purchasing, procurement, or supply chain teams within a manufacturing environment ▸ Hands-on experience sourcing machined, fabricated, cast, or other industrial manufacturing components ▸ Proven experience working with overseas suppliers — Asia experience is required; India experience is a strong asset ▸ Skilled negotiator across international pricing, commercial terms, freight terms, and supplier agreements ▸ Working knowledge of foreign exchange and its impact on purchasing decisions ▸ ERP/MRP proficiency — experience with Visual Manufacturing or similar systems preferred ▸ Strong understanding of ROP, forecast buying, inventory management, and lean methodology ▸ Familiarity with welding, machining, and manufacturing fabrication processes ▸ Degree or diploma in Supply Chain Management or a related field; SCMP or APICS certification is an asset ▸ Mandarin language skills are a bonus but not required ▸ A big-picture thinker who understands how a purchasing decision ripples across an entire organization ▸ Calm under pressure, highly organized, and effective at managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment ────────────────────────────────── WHY JOIN OUR CLIENT ────────────────────────────────── ▸ A senior role with real influence — you'll shape procurement strategy, not just execute it ▸ A growing global supply chain function with active expansion into India and Asia ▸ A collaborative, cross-functional environment in a well-established manufacturing operation ▸ Opportunity for occasional domestic and international travel to support supplier development and sourcing initiatives ▸ Competitive compensation commensurate with experience