Purchasing & Inventory Manager

Location: Peterborough (Hybrid Working)
Salary: £45,000 – £55,000 per annum (DOE)
Hours: Full-Time | 37.5 hours per week | Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm

The Opportunity

Our client is a successful and growing manufacturing business seeking an experienced Purchasing & Inventory Manager to take ownership of procurement planning, supplier management, inventory control, and forecasting activities across the operation.

This is a business-critical role and the most urgent vacancy within the organisation. The successful candidate will play a key part in ensuring materials are available to support production while maintaining efficient inventory levels and minimising excess stock.

Industry-specific experience is not essential. We are keen to speak with candidates from a range of manufacturing sectors who can demonstrate strong experience in supply chain management, strategic procurement, inventory planning, and forecasting.

For the right individual, there is flexibility on salary, with a package of up to £55,000 available for candidates who can demonstrate the required knowledge and experience.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, you will be responsible for ensuring raw materials, packaging, and production components are available when needed to support manufacturing operations.

A key focus of the role will be forecasting demand and planning procurement activity ahead of customer orders being confirmed. Rather than reacting to demand, you will use forecasts, production schedules, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and planning data to ensure materials arrive at the right time, helping the business avoid stock shortages, production delays, and excessive inventory holding.

You will work closely with Sales, Production, Finance, Quality, suppliers, and key customers to ensure supply chain activities align with business requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Develop and implement strategic purchasing and procurement plans.

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure reliability, quality, and value.

• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and commercial agreements.

• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings.

• Source alternative suppliers and mitigate supply chain risks where necessary.

Inventory Management & Forecasting

• Manage inventory levels to maintain optimum stock availability whilst minimising excess inventory.

• Lead forecasting and material planning activities based on sales forecasts and production plans.

• Ensure procurement activity is aligned with manufacturing schedules and future demand requirements.

• Analyse inventory trends and stock movements to improve planning accuracy.

• Maintain accurate inventory records and stock control processes.

• Oversee warehouse utilisation and storage efficiency.

Manufacturing Planning

• Work extensively with Bills of Materials (BOMs), MRP systems, and procurement planning tools.

• Ensure all materials and components are available to support production requirements.

• Collaborate with operational teams to improve planning processes and inventory performance.

• Drive continuous improvements across purchasing and inventory management functions.

Leadership & Reporting

• Lead and develop the purchasing team.

• Produce purchasing, inventory, supplier performance, and cost-saving reports.

• Present key procurement and inventory metrics to senior management.

• Support strategic business decisions through accurate forecasting and analysis.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Proven experience in Purchasing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Inventory Management, or Materials Planning within a manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of forecasting, demand planning, inventory control, and procurement planning.

• Experience working with Bills of Materials (BOMs) and MRP/ERP systems.

• Demonstrable experience managing supplier relationships and negotiating commercial agreements.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and production planning.

• Excellent analytical and numerical skills with advanced Excel capability.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work proactively in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication skills with the confidence to engage with suppliers, operational teams, and key customers.

Desirable

• Previous team leadership or management experience.

• CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement qualification.

• Experience implementing supply chain or inventory improvement initiatives.

Benefits

• Salary up to £55,000 depending on experience

• Hybrid working

• Company bonus scheme

• Quarterly incentives

• Company pension

• Employee discount scheme

• Long service awards

• Free on-site parking

• Career development opportunities within a growing business

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded procurement and supply chain professional looking to take ownership of a strategic function within a growing manufacturing business. The role offers significant influence across procurement, forecasting, inventory management, supplier development, and operational planning, with the opportunity to make a genuine impact on business performance.