Procurement Manager at Universal… · Colchester

Procurement Manager

Location: UK-based | Role: Full-time | Monday to Friday 7:30am – 4:30pm Office based - potential to work 1 day from home**£50,000 - £60,000**

Drive better buying. Build stronger supply chains. Make a measurable commercial impact.

We’re working with a successful and growing UK-based manufacturing business to appoint an ambitious Procurement Manager who can take ownership of its procurement function and make a genuine difference to the bottom line.

This is not simply a role focused on raising purchase orders.

You’ll have the opportunity to shape procurement strategy, influence profitability, strengthen supplier relationships and build a more efficient, resilient supply chain, with your work directly contributing to the company’s continued growth and market share.

The opportunity

You will take ownership of the end-to-end procurement process, working closely with Production, Operations, Sales and Engineering.

Your focus will be clear: secure the right products, at the right quality, at the right price, at the right time.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading and improving the end-to-end procurement process.
• Negotiating competitive pricing and commercial terms with existing and new suppliers.
• Identifying and delivering meaningful cost-saving opportunities to improve gross profit and EBITDA.
• Managing supplier selection, onboarding, performance, and ongoing relationships

We’re looking for someone who combines commercial instinct with strong organisation and attention to detail.

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience in a purchasing or procurement role.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Good numerical and analytical ability.
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and ideally experience working with an ERP system.
• A highly organised approach and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
• A genuine desire to improve processes rather than simply maintain them.
• A full driving licence and willingness to travel to suppliers, including overseas when required.

The person

We’re particularly interested in someone who is curious, commercially hungry and comfortable taking ownership.

• You’ll be a natural relationship builder who can work collaboratively with colleagues and suppliers, while also being confident enough to negotiate, challenge and make decisions.
• You’ll be accurate when the detail matters, but commercially aware enough to keep sight of the bigger picture.
• Most importantly, you’ll be someone who gets things done.

The successful candidate will join a business with a clear focus on quality, reliability, innovation and continuous improvement.

Its culture is built around being: Respectful. Accurate. Positive. Innovative. Dependable**.**

If that sounds like an environment in which you could thrive and you’re ready to take ownership of procurement and make a measurable commercial impact, we’d like to hear from you.

This is a chance to join a business where procurement really matters.

You’ll have the autonomy to challenge existing ways of working, develop supplier relationships, negotiate hard when required and introduce greater consistency and efficiency into purchasing. You can own it.

If you enjoy finding a better deal, solving supply problems, challenging inefficiency and seeing the tangible commercial results of your work, this could be an excellent next step

• Salary of £50,000 – £60,000
• Holidays – 21 days plus 8 bank / Pension scheme
• Company Bonus scheme