Purchasing Manager

Purchasing Manager

Location: Chertsey, Surrey Working Arrangement: 4 days per week on-site

We are recruiting an experienced Purchasing Manager to lead a team of Product Coordinators and oversee purchasing, demand planning and inventory management within a B2B environment.

This is a mix of a hands-on operational role with leadership responsibilities, responsible for ensuring product availability, optimising stock levels, strengthening supplier relationships and driving an efficient end-to-end purchasing operation.

Key Responsibilities

*

Lead, coach and develop a team of 4–8 Product Coordinators.

*

Oversee purchasing activities, ensuring orders are accurate, timely and aligned with business requirements.

*

Develop and maintain short- to medium-term demand forecasts using historical sales data, purchasing trends and market insights.

*

Manage replenishment strategies, including MRP and safety stock parameters.

*

Optimise inventory levels, minimising excess and aged stock while maintaining product availability.

*

Monitor stock performance, identifying risks and opportunities to improve inventory efficiency.

*

Produce and present monthly inventory reports, KPIs and management insights.

*

Work closely with Product Management, Sales, Finance and Supply Chain teams to ensure effective planning and execution.

*

Manage supplier relationships, including lead times, pricing, availability and service quality.

*

Support new product introductions, supplier onboarding and master data management.

*

Ensure purchasing activities comply with internal procedures and approval limits.

*

Drive continuous improvement across demand planning, purchasing and replenishment processes.

Experience & Skills Required

*

Minimum 3 years' experience in purchasing or supply chain coordination, ideally within a B2B environment (preferably manufacturing or distribution).

*

At least 3 years' experience in a people management or team leadership role.

*

Strong end-to-end supply chain and inventory management knowledge.

*

Proven experience in demand planning, forecasting and replenishment.

*

Excellent analytical skills and confidence working with complex data and reporting.

*

Experience using ERP systems, SAP BI/SAC dashboards or similar reporting tools.

*

Strong supplier management skills, particularly around pricing, lead times and stock availability.

*

Understanding of international shipping, Incoterms, customs and import/export processes.

*

Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.

*

A proactive, commercially minded and solutions-focused approach.

Desirable

*

CIPS Level 2 or above, or a relevant procurement/supply chain qualification.

*

Knowledge of international supply chains and additional EMEA languages.

The Opportunity

An excellent opportunity for an established purchasing or supply chain professional to take ownership of a team, influence inventory performance and make a tangible impact on purchasing operations within an international B2B distribution business.

Location: Chertsey, Surrey – 4 days per week on-site.

• Please note visa sponsorship is not available for this role