Engineering Stores Manager / Technical Buyer

Overview

A leading organisation within the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industry is seeking an experienced and highly organised Engineering Stores Manager and Technical Buyer to oversee engineering stores operations, technical procurement, inventory management and supplier relationships.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the effective management of engineering spares, consumables and technical equipment while maintaining optimal stock levels to support uninterrupted maintenance and production operations.

This role requires strong experience in engineering stores management, technical purchasing, inventory control, supplier negotiations, cost management and ERP systems, preferably within a pharmaceutical, FMCG, manufacturing or engineering environment.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of engineering maintenance requirements, procurement governance and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, with the ability to balance operational requirements, inventory availability and cost efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Stores Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the engineering stores function.
• Oversee the storage, control and availability of engineering spare parts, consumables and technical materials.
• Ensure optimal stock levels are maintained for critical engineering spares.
• Monitor inventory movements and stock availability to support maintenance and production requirements.
• Conduct regular stock counts and inventory reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve stock discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure effective stock control.
• Identify and manage obsolete, redundant and slow-moving stock.
• Implement effective inventory management practices to minimise operational disruptions.
• Ensure critical engineering materials are available when required.
• Support efficient engineering maintenance and production activities through reliable stores management.

Technical Procurement & Purchasing

• Procure technical equipment, engineering spare parts, consumables and maintenance services.
• Identify and source suitable suppliers for engineering and operational requirements.
• Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations.
• Compare pricing, quality, delivery terms and service offerings.
• Negotiate competitive pricing and favourable procurement terms.
• Negotiate supplier delivery arrangements and service agreements.
• Issue purchase orders in accordance with organisational procurement policies.
• Ensure procurement activities meet operational requirements and approved purchasing procedures.
• Monitor procurement timelines to ensure the timely availability of critical materials.
• Coordinate purchasing requirements with engineering and maintenance stakeholders.
• Support uninterrupted production and maintenance operations through effective technical procurement.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with technical suppliers and service providers.
• Identify reliable suppliers of engineering equipment, spare parts and maintenance services.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and suitability.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed expectations.
• Address supplier-related issues and delivery concerns.
• Ensure suppliers comply with organisational procurement and quality standards.
• Maintain effective communication with suppliers regarding purchasing requirements.
• Support supplier negotiations and contract management activities.
• Promote reliable supply arrangements that support operational continuity.

Inventory Control & Stock Optimisation

• Monitor inventory levels and stock movements.
• Maintain appropriate stock availability for critical engineering components.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy and control.
• Analyse stock usage patterns and purchasing requirements.
• Reduce unnecessary stockholding while maintaining operational readiness.
• Identify obsolete and redundant inventory.
• Support effective stock replenishment planning.
• Ensure stock management practices support cost efficiency and engineering requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of inventory transactions and stock adjustments.

Cost Management & Budget Control

• Control engineering stores expenditure.
• Monitor technical procurement spending against approved budgets.
• Identify opportunities to reduce procurement costs.
• Negotiate competitive supplier pricing and commercial terms.
• Evaluate purchasing patterns to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Reduce unnecessary inventory holding costs.
• Ensure cost-saving initiatives do not compromise maintenance or production operations.
• Monitor purchasing efficiency and stock management performance.
• Support effective financial control across engineering stores and procurement activities.

Procurement Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with organisational procurement policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate purchasing documentation and inventory records.
• Ensure procurement transactions are appropriately recorded and controlled.
• Support internal and external audit requirements.
• Maintain records required for procurement and inventory verification.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
• Support GMP compliance relating to engineering materials and suppliers.
• Monitor adherence to relevant regulatory and organisational standards.
• Identify compliance gaps and recommend corrective actions.
• Promote accountability and effective governance within engineering stores and procurement processes.

ERP Systems & Inventory Administration

• Utilise ERP systems to manage procurement and inventory activities.
• Maintain accurate stock and purchasing information within relevant systems.
• Record and monitor inventory movements.
• Support purchase order processing and purchasing administration.
• Ensure accurate system records for engineering spares and consumables.
• Use ERP information to support stock analysis and procurement decisions.
• Maintain organised and accessible inventory and procurement documentation.
• Support improvements to stores administration and inventory control processes.

Reporting & Performance Monitoring

• Prepare regular inventory and procurement reports.
• Monitor engineering stores and procurement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Analyse inventory trends and purchasing patterns.
• Identify areas requiring operational or cost improvements.
• Provide monthly performance feedback to management.
• Report on stock accuracy, inventory movements and procurement activities.
• Monitor supplier performance and purchasing efficiency.
• Highlight material shortages, stock risks and procurement challenges.
• Recommend improvements based on inventory and procurement performance.

Engineering & Operational Coordination

• Work closely with engineering and maintenance teams to understand technical material requirements.
• Coordinate the availability of critical spare parts for maintenance activities.
• Support production continuity through timely procurement and inventory management.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders regarding equipment, spares and service requirements.
• Respond to urgent engineering procurement needs.
• Identify potential supply disruptions and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Maintain effective communication with the Head of Engineering regarding technical and functional matters.
• Support operational efficiency through effective stores and procurement coordination.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

A National Diploma or Degree in one of the following disciplines:

• Mechanical Engineering.
• Electrical Engineering.
• Industrial Engineering.
• Supply Chain Management.
• Procurement Management.
• Operations Management.

Experience

• Proven experience within a pharmaceutical, FMCG, manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Experience managing engineering spare parts and maintenance inventories.
• Strong engineering stores management and inventory control experience.
• Proven experience in technical procurement and purchasing.
• Experience sourcing and evaluating technical suppliers.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier negotiations and contract management.
• Experience using ERP systems.
• Good understanding of inventory management and stock reconciliation processes.
• Knowledge of procurement policies and purchasing procedures.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and regulatory requirements within a pharmaceutical environment.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet critical operational deadlines.

Advantageous Qualifications & Certifications

• Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) qualification.
• Inventory Management certification.
• Stores Management certification.
• SAP training or certification.
• Other relevant ERP system training.
• Additional qualifications in procurement, inventory control or supply chain management.

Technical Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong knowledge and practical capability in:

Engineering Stores & Inventory Management

• Engineering spare parts management.
• Maintenance inventory control.
• Critical spares planning.
• Stock counting and reconciliation.
• Inventory accuracy and movement tracking.
• Obsolete and redundant stock management.
• Inventory optimisation.
• Stock replenishment planning.

Technical Procurement & Supplier Management

• Technical purchasing.
• Engineering equipment and spare parts procurement.
• Supplier sourcing and evaluation.
• Quotation analysis and comparison.
• Supplier negotiations.
• Contract management.
• Purchase order processing.
• Supplier performance monitoring.
• Procurement compliance.

Financial & Cost Control

• Engineering stores expenditure management.
• Procurement budget monitoring.
• Cost-saving initiatives.
• Inventory holding cost optimisation.
• Purchasing trend analysis.
• Cost-effective supplier selection.

Systems & Compliance

• ERP systems.
• SAP (advantageous).
• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Inventory reporting.
• Procurement documentation.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Pharmaceutical regulatory requirements.
• Internal and external audit support.
• Procurement governance.

If you have strong engineering stores management experience, proven technical procurement capabilities and the ability to ensure the reliable availability of critical engineering spares within a manufacturing environment, we would like to hear from you.

Apply now by submitting your updated CV.

Only candidates meeting the minimum qualification and experience requirements will be considered.

Should you not be contacted within two weeks, please take your application as unsuccessful.