Senior Buyer

We are recruiting for Senior Buyer with extensive purchasing experience to join and lead our clients Purchasing team.

The successful applicant will have extensive experience of purchasing a portfolio of goods for a manufacturing business with a supply base of 150+ suppliers.

This role has greater responsibility and accountability than a Buyer and includes people management responsibility. The job holder will take responsibility for the Purchasing process and look after their own list of suppliers whilst also managing the buyer and junior buyer.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Purchase goods, materials, components, or services in line with specified cost, quality, and delivery targets

Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials and communicate any supply problems which may pose a risk or impact on business operations working with Materials.

Monitor market trends, competitor strategies and market suppliers

Research and evaluate areas of opportunity and reduce costs where possible

Deliver briefs, updates, and reports as and when required

Develop creative and innovative procurement processes to improve operational efficiency and work towards a strategy of continuous improvement

Negotiate contracts, improved prices and terms of business with suppliers and review opportunities to make business savings utilising negotiation and procurement best practice tools and methods

Assess and evaluate suppliers and undertake performance reviews to ensure contract compliance and manage performance improvement activities

Build strong relationships with all current and potential suppliers via a professional and consistent approach

Ensure compliance to company guidelines, purchasing policies and procedures in place to cover ISO9001:2015 and ISO14001. To also be aware of requirements of TS16949 would be an advantage.

Explore alternate sources for goods and materials

Assess tenders and quotations from potential suppliers

Prepare purchase orders in line with final negotiations with selected suppliers and in line with organisational targets and requirements

Undertake research on and evaluate existing and new suppliers

Work with QA during auditors to validate the Purchasing processes are followed

Experience/Knowledge

Relevant business/commercial or manufacturing/engineering degree is preferred, HNC, City & Guilds, BTec Higher Professional Diploma, or equivalent NVQ Level 4 qualifications.

Membership of Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)

Proven purchasing experience, preferably within an automotive or manufacturing environment

Ability to add value, reduce costs and make business improvements

Contract management and supplier experience

Project management experience

Strong technical knowledge and understanding of automotive processes and components and supply chain management

Computer literate, to include advanced Excel skills