Senior Buyer

As in-house recruiters for the large multi-national organisation, DENSO Marston based in Shipley, West Yorkshire we are looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Purchasing team. You will have responsibility for ensuring that we manage supplier relationships within our current supply chain and take the lead to introduce new suppliers who can give us a cost-advantage, responsive, flexible service. Candidates should have the drive and ability to make their mark in purchasing and supplier management at a senior level. The emphasis of this role will be focused on Capital expenditure on commercial activity rather than day to day expediting.

The Senior Buyer has responsibility for a significant spend on a Purchase Commodity, to help achieve the annual cost down targets and mentor a small team of individuals to help pass on experience and help develop the department in our goal of continuous improvement.

Working hours/Benefits
8:30 - 5:00 Mon - Thurs
8:30 - 1:30 Fri
Private Medical Insurance
Flexi-time of 30 minutes at either side of the core hours are available Mon - Thurs.
Excellent pension scheme and generous company benefits, plus free on-site parking.

Key Responsibilities

Using a category management approach, review of production and non-production expenditure and develop sourcing strategies that align to the business goals. Project manage the migration of spends for the given commodities into the remit of the Purchasing department where they do not exist today.
Design and implement supplier rationalisation based upon the category strategy proposed and approved.
Establish and manage contracts with core suppliers in each category. Negotiate improved prices and terms of business with key suppliers. Adopt a corporate approach to cost reduction whilst maintaining an exceptionally high level of quality.
Work with internal stakeholders on NPI, capital equipment & bespoke projects to ensure purchasing input from the project start.
Build relationships internally and externally with stakeholder departments to ensure optimum success.
Co-ordinate monitor and report upon supplier performance liaise with client departments on supplier status; produce monthly reporting on all of the above as required by Departmental Manager. Manage performance improvement activities with the suppliers.
Liaise with European/Global plants to identify leverage opportunities.Key Skills

Ability to work as a change agent in the company to improve processes and services, ensuring key project milestone are met.
Strong negotiation skills, contract management knowledge and experience understanding cost makeup.
A strong relationship builder with ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organisation as well as with external suppliers.
Bring innovative industry best practice ideas to help improve the indirect process.
Drive to achieve best value and ongoing cost reduction.
Able to achieve senior management expectations whilst delivering at operational level.
Well developed communication, negotiation and persuasion skills and a tenacious attitude to delivering change
Must have a can-do attitude with high levels of motivation to continually challenge the status quo.
Comfortable working and managing within a small team environment, delivering change.
A self starter and confident decision maker who is able to think on their feet.Essential Experience

Significant experience and be from a 1st tier or OEM automotive, engineering, or general manufacturing background.
A proven record of purchasing non-production materials and commodities.
Experience with capital expenditure and tooling purchases would be required, general non-production buying within an engineering or fast-moving manufacturing environment is essential.
Experience of sourcing and managing suppliers located in low-cost countries.
A commercially focused professional who can demonstrate knowledge of best practice purchasing techniques and have the ability to plan and prioritise their workload to meet deadlines, work on own initiative and identify, analyse and solve problems.
Experience in managing change and continuous improvements.Qualification
Degree/HND calibre preferably with a CIPS qualification or be studying towards CIPS