Purchasing Manager

If you’ve ever worked in a machinery business, you’ll know this: Purchasing isn’t back-office admin. It’s the difference between projects flowing and projects stalling. I’m working with a specialist automation and systems integration business operating at the forefront of industrial machinery. They design, build and integrate bespoke automation equipment, servo-driven systems, robotics, fabrication and precision assemblies in a genuinely engineering-led environment. This is not a corporate procurement role. It’s a site-based Purchasing Manager position embedded within manufacturing. The business This is an SME that builds real machines. Complex, BOM-driven, compliance-led equipment delivered to industrial customers. They operate in cycles, peaks and troughs. One week you’re placing orders for robotics and control hardware; the next you’re buying fabrication materials and consumables. There’s a bespoke automated system that converts BOMs into purchase orders. There’s structure but this role also requires judgement. If you’ve worked in automation or special purpose machinery, you’ll recognise the environment. The role You will take ownership of: End-to-end purchasing across complex project BOMs Commercial negotiation with suppliers Cost control and margin protection Managing high-volume purchasing bursts (up to 800 lines at peak) Procuring everything from small hardware items through to high-value automation equipment Coordinating goods-in and aligning materials with workshop workload Supporting decisions around outsourcing vs in-house machining capacity This role sits close to fabrication, machining, laser cutting and assembly. It is integral to releasing projects from design into production. The challenges Managing workload cycles Anticipating material requirements before they become urgent Managing peer relationships across design and production Preventing production disruption through proactive purchasing Balancing cost, quality and delivery without drama Who This Suits You must have purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment. However, the strongest candidates will likely have started life in engineering, perhaps as a Production or Manufacturing Engineer. You’ll need: Confidence negotiating with suppliers Experience managing complex BOMs Technical literacy (drawings, tolerances, machining lead times) Calm authority within a small team Comfort working on-site in an SME environment This role is hands-on, visible and accountable. If you enjoy being close to the shop floor, influencing outcomes, and operating in a technically driven automation business, please get in touch.