PURCHASING MANAGER

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LOCATION:

Banbury, UK

WORK SETUP:

Full Time

For over 10 years, Live Wire has delivered technology, AV, and immersive experiences across Formula 1 and major live events worldwide. Supporting leading F1 teams and Formula 1 Management across all 24 races, our work spans hospitality suites, paddocks, garages, pit walls, fan zones, and factory environments.

Alongside motorsport, we deliver technical production and live event solutions across concerts, festivals, theatre, conferences, and venues including the Southbank Centre and Barbican. Based in Banbury, we are a fast-growing company working in some of the most demanding and exciting live production environments in the world.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The successful candidate will work closely with project management, operations, technical, logistics, and warehouse teams to ensure equipment, consumables, services, and operational requirements are sourced efficiently, delivered on time, and managed within budget.

You will play a key role in supporting project delivery through effective supplier management, purchasing processes, stock control, and operational coordination while maintaining high standards across procurement and logistics activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Procurement & Purchasing

Manage purchasing activities across live event, AV, and Formula 1 projects
Source equipment, materials, consumables, services, and operational requirements from approved suppliers
Obtain and evaluate supplier quotations, pricing, lead times, and availability
Raise and manage purchase orders while ensuring accuracy across purchasing documentation
Track deliveries, supplier timelines, and order statuses to ensure operational deadlines are met
Support procurement and purchasing planning across multiple concurrent projects

Supplier & Vendor Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers and service providers
Negotiate pricing, lead times, and supplier agreements where appropriate
Monitor supplier performance, reliability, and delivery standards
Coordinate with suppliers regarding logistics, shipping, and project timelines
Identify new suppliers and procurement opportunities to improve operational efficiency
Maintain accurate supplier records

Inventory & Stock Coordination

Work closely with warehouse and technical teams to monitor stock levels and equipment availability
Support inventory management processes including stock tracking, replenishment, and reporting
Assist with managing equipment shortages, urgent procurement requests, and operational contingencies

Budget & Cost Control

Monitor purchasing spend and support cost tracking across projects and departments
Ensure purchasing activities remain aligned with project budgets
Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining quality and delivery standards
Support forecasting, purchasing reporting, and budget management activities

Operational Coordination

Coordinate closely with project managers, technical teams, logistics, and operations departments
Support international freight coordination, and supplier logistics where required
Ensure purchasing timelines align with project schedules, and event delivery deadlines
Assist with operational planning during busy event periods
Support continuous improvements across purchasing and operational processes

Risk Management & Problem Solving

Proactively identify purchasing risks, shortages, delays, and operational challenges
Support contingency planning and alternative sourcing solutions when required
Adapt quickly to changing project requirements and operational priorities
Manage urgent purchasing requests within fast-paced live event environments
Support operational problem-solving while maintaining delivery standards and timelines

Stakeholder & Team Coordination

Build positive working relationships across operations, project management, technical, warehouse, and finance teams
Communicate clearly across departments, suppliers, and stakeholders
Support collaborative working practices across procurement and operational activities
Contribute to process improvements and purchasing best practices
Manage a small team, ensuring priorities are set and adhered to and that process is followed and accuracy is maintained.

REQUIREMENTS

Essential Skills & Experience

Experience within a Purchasing Management role. Incorporating procurement, supply chain, operations and inventory management
Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail
Excellent communication and supplier coordination abilities
Experience managing purchase orders, supplier relationships, and purchasing processes
Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities within fast-paced environments
Experience of line management
Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving mindset
Confident working under pressure while maintaining accuracy
Proficiency in google workspace and procurement or inventory management systems, ideally Sage
Willingness and availability for international travel where required

Desirable

Experience within live events, AV, technical production, motorsport, or Formula 1 environments
Understanding of technical equipment, event technology, and production workflows

Experience supporting operational delivery within fast-paced project environments

WHAT WE OFFER

The opportunity to work on exciting international Formula 1 and live event projects
Exposure to a wide range of technical production environments and global events
A collaborative and highly skilled working environment
Opportunities for career progression and professional development within a growing company
The chance to contribute to projects delivered at the highest level of live production

Live Wire Productions is committed to creating a workplace that is open, inclusive, and free from discrimination or prejudice. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are proud to support equal opportunities regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or age.