Materials and Purchasing Team Leader

Materials & Purchasing Team Leader
Manufacturing Permanent On-site
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000

A well-established UK manufacturing business is recruiting a Materials & Purchasing Team Leader to take ownership of purchasing, supplier coordination, and material flow into production.

This is a stable company with a long trading history and a small, close-knit team. The role has become available due to the previous post-holder moving on and is now being recruited as a fresh appointment.

The Role

Reporting to the Manufacturing Manager, you will manage day-to-day purchasing and materials activities to support efficient production.
Key responsibilities include:

• Sourcing, assessing, and selecting suppliers
• Managing quotations and raising purchase orders for materials, parts, and sub-assemblies
• Monitoring supplier delivery, quality, cost, and performance
• Supporting supplier improvement and cost reduction activities
• Coordinating approval of first production samples
• Using an MRP system to forecast material demand and control inventory
• Managing incoming goods, quality checks, storage, and issue to production
• Controlling stock levels for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods
• Handling non-conforming materials and supplier returns
• Completing stock counts and month-end reconciliations
• Maintaining safe working practices and good housekeeping in stores

This is a hands-on role that combines purchasing, materials control, and light team leadership.
About You

You will likely have:

• Experience in purchasing, materials management, or supply chain within manufacturing
• Experience using an MRP or ERP system (any system considered)
• Good supplier communication and basic negotiation skills
• Strong organisation and attention to detail
• A practical, reliable approach and willingness to get involved

This role suits someone moving beyond a stores-focused position into a more commercial purchasing role.

Progression

There is long-term progression toward a Purchasing / Materials Manager position, dependent on business growth and performance.
Working Pattern & Benefits

• Fully site-based role
• Full flexitime with the ability to accrue up to 3 flexi days
• Stable role within a long-established business