Purchasing Manager

Salary: £45,000 to £55,000 per annum (DOE) 

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Location: Cambridge, UK (flexible working options available to discuss)

Closing date for applications: 6th January 2025

Join Nu Quantum - Shaping the Future of Technology

Nu Quantum is at the cutting edge of quantum computing and advanced technology, driven by a passion for innovation, diversity, and excellence. We foster a collaborative environment where brilliant minds come together to redefine what’s possible. As a Purchasing Manager, you’ll play a critical role in enabling our cross-disciplinary teams to deliver ground-breaking technologies.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced Purchasing Manager to join our ambitious and growing team. In this role, you will work closely with the Project Management Team to manage procurement activities in alignment with project needs, while also providing essential support to our finance functions. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your technical expertise, supplier management skills, and process optimisation experience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Relationships: Identify, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships. Negotiate contracts to ensure the best value and terms for technical and quality components.

Due Diligence: Conduct checks on new suppliers and regularly monitor existing suppliers for quality, timeliness, and reliability. Maintain an up-to-date preferred supplier list.

Supply Chain Optimisation: Operate and refine the company’s purchasing procedures and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure all purchases meet technical and quality standards and support project timelines.

Process Management: Implement robust goods-inward procedures, ensuring timely routing of materials to engineering teams for installation, testing, and acceptance.

Tools and Technology: Ensure procurement tools and workflows are efficient and user-friendly, updating processes as needed.

Cross-Border Logistics: Manage international deliveries, including liaising with couriers, freight forwarders, and customs to ensure smooth transit and compliance.

Financial Oversight: Support the finance team by confirming delivery fulfilment, ensuring accurate purchase orders and invoices, and providing coding and categorisation for financial and project management purposes.

About You

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You are an excellent communicator with a strong foundation in procurement and supply chain management and a passion for continuous improvement.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Purchasing Manager, Procurement Specialist, or similar role in a technology or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of supply chain management, vendor negotiations, and inventory optimisation.
• Demonstrable analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with procurement and SaaS tools, with the ability to implement and optimise workflows.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical teams.
• Numerate, with a solid understanding of financial concepts and cost management.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Working knowledge of import tax, customs duty, and international logistics.
• Familiarity with technical hardware components, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with procurement and finance tools like Xero Accounting Software, ApprovalMax, and/or Pleo.
• Experience in implementing internal processes and controls in growing organisations.

Why Work with Us?

At Nu Quantum, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people of all identities, orientations, backgrounds, and experiences are empowered. We value diverse perspectives as a source of creativity and innovation and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented and marginalised communities. Joining Nu Quantum means joining a team where you can grow professionally and be part of an inspiring mission to shape the future of technology.

Benefits

• Flexible working options
• Group DIS cover(4 x salary)
• 1 month paid Sabbatical after 4 years of service
• Generous Employee Referral Scheme
• Private Medical and Dental Cover
• On-site gym membership
• Cycle scheme 
• Refreshments, including fruit and beverages, are available in the office.
• 28 days annual leave + UK Bank Holidays
• Enhanced paid family leave policies 
• Time for Charity work
• Access to the Cambridge Botanical Gardens