Procurement Manager

Capex Recruitment working in partnership with a manufacturing, wholesale and distribution firm based in the North Dublin area on the appointment of Procurement Manager. The company is in a fantastic place in terms of growth and there will be plenty of scope for further career progression.

What's in it for you

• Starting salary up to €95,000
• €5000 annual bonus
• Hybrid working - 1 day per week from home
• Pension 5%
• 22 days holidays plus all bank holidays

As a key member of the Operations leadership team, you will be responsible for developing and executing purchasing strategies that ensure security of supply, optimise inventory investment, strengthen supplier partnerships and support the continued growth.

You will lead the purchasing and demand planning functions, balancing customer service, working capital and procurement costs while driving continuous improvement across forecasting, inventory optimisation, supplier performance and supply chain planning.

You will play a leading role in implementing advanced forecasting and inventory planning systems, enhancing our Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, and embedding best-in-class purchasing practices that deliver measurable commercial value.

Responsibilities in your new role

• Lead, mentor and develop the Purchasing & Supply Chain team, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, continuous improvement and professional development.
• Develop and implement the purchasing and supply chain strategy, ensuring continuity of supply, optimising supplier performance, inventory investment, working capital and customer service across the business.
• Own the company's demand planning and forecasting processes, driving continuous improvement through historical demand analysis, market intelligence, order book management, sales forecasting and close collaboration with Sales and key stakeholders across Ireland and the UK.
• Lead the ongoing implementation, optimisation and development of the AGR demand planning and inventory management system, ensuring effective adoption across the business and maximising the value of digital planning tools.
• Develop, lead and embed Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes, aligning demand, supply, procurement, operations and finance to improve forecast accuracy, inventory optimisation, capacity utilisation and customer service.
• Lead all purchasing activities, including supplier scheduling, replenishment planning, purchasing commitments and inbound supply management, ensuring product availability while optimising inventory investment, purchasing expenditure and working capital.
• Develop strategic supplier relationships, managing supplier performance through agreed KPIs relating to delivery, quality, cost, responsiveness and service, while identifying opportunities for supplier development, risk reduction and continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement strategies to strengthen supply chain resilience through supplier risk assessment, multi-sourcing, supply continuity planning and proactive management of potential supply disruptions.
• Oversee inventory performance, including stock value, stock turns, inventory budgets, safety stock policies and forecasting accuracy, identifying opportunities to improve inventory health, reduce excess stock and maximise cash generation.
• Drive initiatives to minimise slow-moving, obsolete and excess inventory through cross-functional collaboration, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions are embedded within planning and purchasing processes.
• Partner closely with Sales, Operations, Warehouse and Finance teams to maximise OTIF performance, improve order fulfilment, optimise warehouse capacity and proactively manage demand fluctuations, stock shortages and customer service levels.
• Provide strategic leadership on SKU rationalisation, product lifecycle management, new product introductions and product discontinuation decisions, ensuring supply chain readiness and commercial success.
• Develop, monitor and report key purchasing and supply chain KPIs, using data analytics to drive informed decision-making and continuous operational improvement.
• Champion a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, embracing digital technologies, AI-enabled planning tools and best practice to enhance purchasing and supply chain performance.

What you will need to succeed

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a senior Purchasing, Procurement or Supply Chain Management role within a manufacturing, engineering or distribution environment.
• Demonstrable experience in strategic purchasing, supplier relationship management, inventory optimisation, demand planning and supply chain performance management.
• Strong understanding and practical experience of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), demand forecasting, inventory management and working capital optimisation.
• Proficient with ERP systems and advanced demand planning or inventory optimisation software
• Excellent analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends and make informed decisions that balance customer service, inventory investment and business performance