Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer

Hereford Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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J

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships in a dynamic engineering environment.
  • Company: Join a well-established, privately owned engineering business focused on growth and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, benefits package, and the chance to work on-site in Herefordshire.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive culture while driving procurement excellence and collaborating with diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: Experience in procurement within manufacturing, strong negotiation skills, and proficiency in MRP systems required.
  • Other info: This role reports directly to the Managing Director, offering significant influence on the supply chain strategy.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Driving Procurement Excellence in a Growing Engineering Business

Herefordshire, on-site, permanent

Salary between £40,000 - £50,000, plus competitive benefits package

Specialist engineering, manufacturing, and assembly

No Visa sponsorship available for overseas candidates

As this business continues to grow, they are strengthening their procurement capability and are on the lookout for an experienced, proactive Senior Buyer to take ownership of our purchasing function. Based within a well-established, privately owned manufacturing and engineering business, you will play a pivotal role in sourcing materials and services that meet the evolving demands of the operations. This is a hands-on role where strategic thinking meets practical execution - ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment.

What You’ll Be Doing:

  • Procurement Management
    • Lead the sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of materials and components both in the UK and internationally (including key markets such as China).
    • Collaborate with operations, engineering, and management teams to obtain competitive quotes for materials and subcontracted services.
    • Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery and consistent quality.
    • Working with engineering teams on NPD and NPI.
    • Monitor market trends to identify risks, spot opportunities, and drive long-term procurement strategies.
    • Add tangible value to the business by continuously improving purchasing performance.
  • Cost Management
    • Negotiate favourable pricing, terms, and contracts to drive cost efficiency.
    • Carry out regular cost analysis and identify opportunities for savings without compromising quality.
    • Select suppliers based on reliability, quality, and value.
    • Conduct supplier reviews and performance evaluations to ensure ongoing compliance and excellence.
  • Process Improvement
    • Contribute to the refinement of procurement processes and procedures to boost efficiency and accuracy.
    • Use MRP systems to manage purchasing activities and streamline operations.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
    • Work closely with production, technical, quality, and finance teams to align purchasing strategies with broader business goals.
    • Support new product development projects by sourcing and qualifying materials and suppliers.
  • Compliance & Documentation
    • Ensure all procurement activities are aligned with internal policies and external regulations.
    • Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of purchases, contracts, and supplier communications.
    • Mitigation of supply chain risks, EU and US Tariffs.

What We’re Looking For:

  • Procurement experience, within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
  • A hands-on buyer with a proven ability to manage procurement activities in a dynamic, growing business.
  • Understanding of technical engineering drawings.
  • Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
  • Excellent organisational and time management capabilities.
  • Proficiency with MRP systems and Microsoft Office.
  • A strategic, analytical thinker with a keen eye for detail and a strong sense of commercial awareness.
  • A proactive problem-solver who can make informed decisions independently.

Reporting to the Managing Director, this is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of our supply chain function. If you’re ready to make a real impact in a supportive and ambitious business, we’d love to hear from you.

J

Contact Detail:

Jonathan Lee Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in procurement and supply chain management, especially within the engineering sector. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your proactive approach to staying updated in a fast-paced industry.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the engineering and manufacturing fields. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the company culture and expectations for the Senior Buyer role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated contracts or improved procurement processes in your previous roles. Being able to articulate your achievements will set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the company thoroughly, including its products, market position, and competitors. Understanding their business model and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can add value as a Senior Buyer.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer

Procurement Management
Negotiation Skills
Supplier Relationship Management
Cost Analysis
Market Trend Analysis
Process Improvement
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Understanding of Technical Engineering Drawings
Proficiency with MRP Systems
Microsoft Office Proficiency
Organisational Skills
Time Management
Analytical Thinking
Commercial Awareness
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant procurement experience, especially in manufacturing or engineering. Emphasise your negotiation skills and any experience with MRP systems, as these are crucial for the Senior Buyer role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the company's needs and how your background aligns with their requirements. Mention specific examples of how you've added value in previous roles, particularly in cost management and supplier relationships.

Highlight Key Skills: In your application, clearly outline your organisational and time management capabilities. Provide examples of your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, as these are essential for thriving in a fast-paced environment.

Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you include all required information such as your name, email address, phone number, and location in your CV. This will help Jonathan Lee Recruitment process your application smoothly.

How to prepare for a job interview at Jonathan Lee Recruitment

✨Showcase Your Procurement Experience

Be prepared to discuss your previous procurement roles in detail. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully sourced materials or negotiated contracts, especially in a manufacturing or engineering context.

✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

Illustrate your ability to think strategically by discussing how you've identified market trends or opportunities in past roles. This will show that you can contribute to long-term procurement strategies.

✨Emphasise Supplier Relationship Management

Talk about your experience in building and maintaining strong supplier relationships. Provide examples of how these relationships have led to improved quality and timely delivery of materials.

✨Prepare for Technical Discussions

Since the role requires an understanding of technical engineering drawings, be ready to discuss any relevant experience you have. This could include how you've collaborated with engineering teams on new product development projects.

Senior Buyer
Jonathan Lee Recruitment
Location: Hereford
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