Senior Purchasing Manager - Gillespie Recruitment Ltd : Job Details

Senior Purchasing Manager - Sunderland - Up to £85,000 Car Allowance & Benefits

Are you an experienced Senior Purchasing Manager or procurement leader with a background in manufacturing?

Do you have proven expertise in supplier negotiations, strategic sourcing, and driving cost savings year after year?

Can you inspire and lead teams to deliver outstanding results while building long-term supplier partnerships?

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, we’re recruiting for a Senior Purchasing Manager role with one of the North East’s most established automotive manufacturers. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a global business, playing a pivotal role in its UK and European operations.

About the Business

Our client is a world-class manufacturer of high-quality interior components for the automotive industry, producing centre consoles, instrument panels and more. Based in Sunderland and employing over 900 people locally, they are part of a global organisation with 50,000 colleagues across 150 sites worldwide.

With advanced facilities in injection moulding, vacuum forming, painting, and automated assembly, they deliver innovative, sustainable solutions to some of the world’s leading car manufacturers.

About the Role

As Senior Purchasing Manager, you will join the site leadership team and take full ownership of purchasing activities for the Interiors Division across the UK and Europe. You’ll be responsible for managing operational expenditure, leading a talented purchasing team, and developing long-term sourcing strategies that align with global objectives while meeting cost, quality, and sustainability targets.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll be influencing both regional and global decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the purchasing function for the Interiors Division across the UK and Europe.
• Develop and deliver annual cost reduction plans and long-term commodity strategies.
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of 5 purchasing professionals.
• Negotiate with suppliers of tooling, equipment, parts, and services to secure best value.
• Oversee sourcing for new vehicle models, ensuring target costs are achieved.
• Drive supplier performance against Quality, Cost, Delivery, Development, and Sustainability (QCDDS) metrics.
• Ensure compliance with global policies, QMS processes, health & safety, GDPR, and CSR standards.
• Report accurate and timely data for regional and global performance reviews.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience as a senior purchasing leader within a manufacturing or engineering environment (essential).
• Strong track record of career progression and professional development in purchasing.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop teams.
• In-depth knowledge of supply market structures, contract law, and commercial strategy.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with international exposure desirable.
• Degree in Business, Engineering, or related discipline (CIPS Level 6 preferred).
• Flexible and willing to travel across Europe (with occasional global travel).
• Dynamic, proactive, and enthusiastic leader with humility and a true team-player mindset.

What’s on Offer

• Salary up to £85,000 car allowance.
• 25 days’ holiday bank holidays.
• Hybrid working arrangement (agreed locally).
• Excellent pension scheme, wellbeing support, and death in service benefit.
• Opportunity to shape purchasing strategy within a leading automotive business.
• Career progression and professional development in a global organisation.

If you’re a proven purchasing leader looking to broaden your experience and make a real impact with a global automotive manufacturer, apply now to be considered for this Senior Purchasing Manager opportunity in Sunderland.