Planning and Purchasing Manager
Location: Hailsham, BN27 4EL
Salary: Competitive, DOE
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Hours: Monday - Friday, 37 hours
Benefits: A competitive salary, private medical insurance, 25 days holiday, salary sacrifice company pension, life insurance, a state-of-the-art working environment!
Take Your Career to the Next Level with VACGEN!
For over 60 years, VACGEN has been driving innovation in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) technology, supporting cutting-edge research across the globe. From NASA and the European Space Agency to CERN, our high-precision products are trusted by world-leading institutions and researchers to deliver results.
We are seeking an experienced Purchasing and Planning Manager to join our senior operations team based in Lower Dicker.
This is a pivotal leadership role within a high‑growth, innovation‑driven advanced manufacturing business with international reach.
You will play a key role in driving excellence across production planning, purchasing, and scheduling supporting operational scalability, customer delivery performance, and long‑term strategic growth.
In addition to this, as our Planning and Purchasing Manager you will be responsible for:
* Leading and developing a high‑performing team of four professionals, driving accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
* Providing strong, visible leadership with a balance of strategic oversight and operational involvement
* Enabling and sustaining 95% On‑Time‑Delivery (OTD) performance to customers
* Enabling and sustaining 95% On‑Time‑Delivery (OTD) performance from suppliers
* Ensuring robust planning, scheduling, and purchasing processes support operational targets
* Designing and implementing scalable processes and systems to support business growth
* Identifying, evaluating and adopting best practices across planning and supply chain operations
* Proactively highlighting, addressing, and implementing improvements to drive efficiency and resilience
* Working closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Sales teams to ensure operational alignment and customer satisfaction
* Providing insight, commercial acumen, and operational perspective to senior decision‑making
* Contributing to long‑term strategy and capacity planning as the business continues to expand
As part of your normal duties you may be required to travel to and work at client premises or other locations as reasonably necessary for the proper performance of your duties.
While your normal place of work will be Lower Dicker, you agree to undertake such travel as is reasonably required by the Company. The Company will provide reasonable notice of such requirements and will reimburse authorised travel expenses.
In order to be successful in this role it is essential that you have:
* Minimum 10 years' experience in purchasing and planning within a low‑batch, high‑complexity manufacturing environment
* At least 5 years' experience in a leadership or management role
* Proven track record in production planning, purchasing, and supplier performance management
* Experience leading teams and driving performance in dynamic manufacturing settings
* Broad exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies
* Experience supporting growth, scale‑up, or transformation initiatives
* Degree‑educated or qualified by experience
No agencies please.
Click on “APPLY” today!
Vacgen Limited is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected status under the Equality Act 2010.
Please Note: We cannot accept applications from Overseas