Purchasing Manager – Mandarin Speaking

Salary: £50,000 per annum, negotiable for the right candidate based on experience
Location: Erith, Kent
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm
Hours: 40 hours per week, including a 1-hour unpaid break
Working Arrangement: Office-based
Contract: Permanent

About the Role

Our client is looking for an experienced and commercially focused Purchasing Manager – Mandarin Speaking to lead and develop their Purchasing Department.

Reporting directly to senior management, you will take ownership of the purchasing function, including procurement strategy, supplier relationships, new product sourcing, cost control, team development and supply chain improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced purchasing or procurement professional to play a key role in supporting business growth by developing strong supplier partnerships, improving purchasing efficiency, controlling costs and ensuring reliable product availability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Purchasing & Procurement

• Lead and manage the Purchasing Department and oversee day-to-day procurement activities.
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies to support business growth and profitability.
• Manage the full purchasing process, including supplier sourcing, quotations, negotiations, contracts, purchase orders and delivery performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, reduce costs and increase profitability.
• Provide purchasing recommendations, supplier updates and market insights to senior management.
• Monitor market trends, supplier developments and new product opportunities.

Supplier Management & Negotiation

• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Identify, evaluate and develop new supplier relationships both locally and internationally.
• Review supplier capabilities, quality standards, commercial terms and compliance requirements.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, including pricing, payment terms, minimum order quantities, lead times and service levels.
• Review and manage supplier contracts and commercial agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery and reliability.
• Attend supplier meetings, exhibitions and industry events to identify new opportunities.

New Product Development & Sourcing

• Identify and source new products and suppliers to support business growth.
• Research market trends and customer requirements.
• Arrange product samples and coordinate internal product evaluations.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Quality and Operations teams on new product development.
• Manage product costing, specifications, packaging requirements, supplier approval and launch processes.
• Support the development and maintenance of product catalogues.

Existing Product Purchasing & Cost Control

• Manage purchasing activities for existing products, ingredients, packaging materials and operational supplies.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers.
• Ensure product availability while achieving competitive purchasing costs.
• Review supplier pricing and negotiate improvements.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and support margin improvement.
• Conduct regular product cost and profitability reviews.

Purchasing Team Leadership

• Build, manage and develop the Purchasing team.
• Recruit, train, coach and support purchasing team members.
• Develop department structures, procedures, training materials and job responsibilities.
• Set team objectives and monitor performance against departmental targets.
• Encourage continuous improvement and efficient working practices.

Supply Chain & Stock Management

• Work closely with Warehouse, Operations, Sales and Finance teams to ensure effective supply planning.
• Monitor stock levels, purchasing requirements and supplier deliveries.
• Support inventory optimisation and reduce the risk of shortages or excess stock.
• Improve purchasing and supply chain processes.
• Ensure continuity of supply to support business operations.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Manage supplier expenditure and purchasing budgets.
• Analyse purchasing costs, supplier performance and market trends.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability through effective procurement strategies.
• Prepare purchasing reports and recommendations for senior management.
• Support business planning and commercial reviews.

Requirements

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a Senior Purchasing Manager, Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager or similar senior procurement position.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience within purchasing or procurement.
• Strong experience managing suppliers and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Previous experience managing, leading and developing a purchasing team.
• Strong commercial awareness with excellent negotiation and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.

Industry Experience

Experience within one or more of the following sectors would be highly advantageous:

• Food manufacturing
• FMCG
• Food import/export
• Food wholesale or distribution

Experience managing international suppliers, particularly Asian suppliers, would be highly desirable.

Language Requirements

Essential:

• Fluent Mandarin Chinese, both spoken and written.
• Fluent English, both spoken and written.

Additional language skills would be advantageous.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• International sourcing experience.
• Knowledge of import/export procedures and international logistics.
• Understanding of food safety requirements and supplier compliance.
• Experience using ERP or purchasing systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and data analysis skills.

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Purchasing cost savings achieved.
• Supplier performance and reliability.
• Product availability and supply continuity.
• Inventory optimisation.
• Successful introduction of new products.
• Supplier quality and compliance.
• Purchasing team development and performance.
• Contribution to overall business profitability.

What Our Client Offers

• Salary of £50,000 per annum, negotiable for the right candidate based on experience.
• Permanent, office-based position in Erith.
• Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm.
• 40 hours per week, including a 1-hour unpaid break.
• Senior-level position with the opportunity to influence purchasing and procurement strategy.
• Opportunity to make a significant contribution to the continued growth of the business.
• Professional and supportive working environment.
• Career development opportunities.

How to Apply

If you have the purchasing or procurement experience, commercial awareness and Mandarin language skills required for this position, we would be keen to hear from you.

Please submit your CV outlining your relevant purchasing management experience, supplier negotiation skills and industry background.