Tactical Buyer

The Buyer will be responsible for ensuring the effective procurement of materials, components, major work packages and services to support business operations. The role will manage the end-to-end supply of parts across nominated commodities, ensuring appropriate commodity strategies are deployed in line with business unit requirements and internal stakeholder needs.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supplier management, driving strong performance against SOTIF and SDPPM metrics, and ensuring competitive sourcing to deliver year-on-year cost savings against standard cost. The role will also contribute to identifying and implementing cost-saving initiatives and process improvements across the procurement function.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end supply chain relationships with a defined group of suppliers to ensure optimal quality, cost, delivery and reliability

• Negotiate and issue purchase orders in line with purchase requisitions, MRP actions and inventory strategies

• Review MRP requirements to ensure component deliveries align with production needs, adjusting schedules, quantities and pricing where required

• Analyse and process supplier notifications

• Manage the communication and expediting of engineering and schedule changes

• Act as the data owner for all supply master data

• Monitor delivery performance to ensure on-time delivery to production requirements

• Apply SOF principles to build robust supplier management processes and long-term supplier partnerships

• Research and develop new or alternative sources of supply where existing suppliers are insufficient

• Create and maintain commodity market profiles and detailed supplier profiles

• Continuously monitor, evaluate and report on supplier performance

• Manage non-conforming material processes, ensuring timely return and rapid replenishment

• Support day-to-day procurement activities, including internal and supplier communications, price negotiations and revised commercial terms

• Deploy responsible supply chain management practices in line with company policy, including risk heat mapping and corrective actions

• Support the Procurement Manager with expediting priorities to ensure purchase orders are delivered on time

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience within a supply chain or procurement environment

• Previous experience as a Buyer within a manufacturing or engineering organisation is advantageous

• Level 4 or Level 5 NVQ or a degree in business, operations, supply chain or a related discipline

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills

• Proven experience in negotiation and supplier relationship management

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organisational and time-management skills

• Experience working within an MRP-driven environment

• Exposure to a manufacturing environment is desirable

• Ability to operate within financial and time-sensitive constraints

• CIPS qualification or working towards certification is desirable