Job Description

Location

: Grantham, Lincolnshire

Reports to

: Engineering, Quality & Supply Chain Director

Salary Range

: 40,000?50,000 + Company Pension

About MV Fruehauf, Grantham

MV Fruehauf is a leading UK trailer engineering and manufacturing company, operating from a large facility in Grantham. The business has undergone significant investment and transformation in recent years, with expansion of product lines, modern fabrication machinery, upgraded facilities, and a growing workforce.

Purpose of the Role

The Purchasing Manager will oversee all procurement activities for raw materials, components, services, and sub?contracted work necessary to support production. You will be responsible for ensuring materials and services are purchased to technical, quality, cost, and delivery standards, managing supplier relationships, and contributing to cost?reduction and efficiency improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Managing a small team. Managing a global supply chain in excess of 100 suppliers Managing an annual spend of 25+ million Develop, implement and maintain procurement strategies aligned with business goals, production schedules, and cost?targets. Identify, evaluate, select and manage suppliers; negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing to obtain best value, quality, and lead times. Issue and manage purchase orders and ensure alignment with negotiated contracts and supplier performance. Work closely with other functions--Planning, Engineering / Design, Stores / Inventory Management, Quality, Production--to forecast demand, support new product introductions, ensure specification compliance, and avoid production delays. Maintain and update procurement system data (ERP/MRP), RFQs, supplier records, cost bases, delivery schedules etc. Monitor supplier performance (on?time delivery, quality, cost variance), perform audits or corrective actions if needed. Analyse spends, identify cost saving opportunities (bulk buys, alternative suppliers, material substitutions), risk mitigation (supply chain risk, lead time volatility). Maintain appropriate stock levels, manage lead times, ensure materials are available for production without excess inventory. Produce reports: cost reports, stock reports, supplier performance metrics. Present to senior management as required. Ensure compliance with internal policies, industry standards, and statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to material sourcing, health & safety, environmental aspects etc.

Required Skills & Experience

CIPS Level 4 Diplomas in Procurement and Supply (preferable) 10+ years of experience in procurement / purchasing in a manufacturing / engineering environment, ideally with experience in trailer, heavy engineering, or vehicle/transport equipment sectors. Strong technical understanding: ability to interpret engineering drawings/specifications, understand materials/components & their quality requirements. Experience negotiating with suppliers, contract management. Proficient with ERP/MRP systems; experience with RFQ processes, purchase orders, supplier performance tracking. Strong analytical skills: cost analysis, demand forecasting, data?driven decision making. Effective communication skills--able to liaise across functions, with internal teams (design, operations, planning) and external suppliers. Good organisational skills: ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, work under pressure to meet production deadlines. Ideally membership with Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or similar qualifications advantageous. Knowledge of AS400 (not essential)

Key Competencies

10+ years of experience in Purchasing Experience in a manufacturing environment (desirable) Able to read and interpret technical drawings (desirable) Strategic & commercial mindset Attention to detail & quality focus Negotiation & influencing ability Problem solving & decision making Leadership Adaptability & continuous improvement mindset

Terms & Benefits

Full?time, permanent contract Working hours: 08:00 - 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:00 - 13:00 Friday 25 Days Holiday Entitlement plus Bank Holidays Onsite parking Pension scheme Opportunity to work in a growing facility with investment in technology and processes

Please email all applications to

careers@fruehauf.co.uk

and include your CV and any

other relevant information with your application including your availability

Fruehauf is an Equal Opportunities employer: We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities. Fruehauf provides a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination, including harassment, because of race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note we will check your right to work in the UK