We are supporting an international manufacturer with the appointment of a Sourcing Manager to join one of its key European manufacturing sites. The site employs more than 300 people and operates as a European Centre of Excellence, combining R&D, industrialisation, manufacturing and supply chain. Producing more than 100,000 highly configurable products annually, it forms an important part of a recently established, private equity-backed international group. This is a significant procurement leadership position with responsibility a team of 4–6 people.The Sourcing Manager will lead procurement activity at site level while also contributing to international sourcing projects across the wider organisation. Responsibilities will include:Leading, developing and challenging the local sourcing teamManaging supplier negotiations, cost reduction and sourcing initiativesImproving supplier performance and mitigating supply riskSupporting new product introduction and industrialisation projectsManaging supplier transitions and outsourced manufacturing activitiesWorking closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, R&D and FinanceBringing greater structure, accountability and pace to the sourcing functionContributing to wider European and international procurement projectsWe are particularly interested in individuals who have developed their careers within industrial manufacturing environments. More important is a track record of leading people, managing suppliers and delivering tangible improvements within a manufacturing environment.Candidates should have:Significant sourcing/procurement experience within manufacturingPrevious team leadership experienceStrong supplier negotiation and cost-management capabilitiesExperience working alongside manufacturing and technical functionsExposure to NPI, supplier development or sourcing projectsThe ability to operate both strategically and hands-onFluent French and strong professional EnglishThe organisation is undergoing significant change and investment, making this particularly suited to somebody who enjoys building, improving and taking ownership, rather than simply maintaining an established procurement function.