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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement and ensure timely delivery of parts for rail projects.
- Company: Established engineering business in the UK rail supply chain.
- Benefits: Salary up to £40,000, profit share, and early finishes on Fridays.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape procurement processes and enjoy a stable work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact from day one in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing, strong communication, and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
An established, growing engineering business within the UK rail supply chain is looking to appoint a hands-on Buyer to take ownership of day-to-day procurement across a high-value spend portfolio. This is a newly created role, introduced to bring much-needed structure, control and accountability to purchasing activity that is currently shared across the wider business.
The Role
This is a practical, operational buying position with real impact from day one. You will be responsible for managing purchase orders, chasing supplier commitments, and ensuring parts arrive when the business needs them — particularly for rail maintenance and overhaul projects where timing is critical. The role suits someone who enjoys being close to the detail, is happy spending time on the phone with suppliers, and takes pride in keeping things organised, accurate and moving. This is about execution, ownership and follow-through.
Key Responsibilities
- Raising and managing purchase orders accurately and efficiently
- Chasing order acknowledgements, delivery dates and expediting late parts
- Acting as the day-to-day contact for suppliers, including large strategic vendors
- Maintaining order trackers and delivery schedules
- Supporting operations with reactive and planned purchasing needs
- Resolving invoice queries and order discrepancies
- Improving visibility of supply risks and delivery status
- Helping stabilise and organise procurement processes within a growing business
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in an operational buyer / purchasing role
- Background in manufacturing, engineering, MRO or mechanical environments
- Comfortable managing high PO volumes and multiple suppliers
- Confident communicator — happy picking up the phone to suppliers
- Highly organised, tenacious and proactive
- Comfortable working with legacy systems and Excel rather than a full ERP
- Low-ego, practical mindset — someone who just gets on and gets it done
- Rail experience is helpful but not essential
What's on Offer
- Salary in the region of £35,000-£40,000, pending experience
- Quarterly profit share on top of base salary
- Stable, growing business with strong order book
- Early finish on Fridays
- Role visibility and genuine impact on operational performance
- Opportunity to shape how buying is done as the function matures
Why Apply?
If you're a buyer who enjoys being in the detail, likes ownership, and wants a role where your work is immediately noticed and valued — this is an opportunity to step into a business that genuinely needs and will rely on your skillset.
Buyer - Rail/Engineering employer: 1492 Ltd
Contact Detail:
1492 Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Rail/Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the rail and engineering sectors on LinkedIn. A friendly message can go a long way, and you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its procurement processes. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around managing purchase orders and supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your organisational skills! Bring examples of how you've kept things running smoothly in past roles. Whether it’s tracking orders or resolving discrepancies, let them see you’re the detail-oriented buyer they need.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Rail/Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Buyer role. Highlight your operational buying experience and any relevant industry knowledge to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about procurement and how your background aligns with our needs. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to managing high-value spend portfolios.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of supplier interaction, make sure to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. Share examples of how you've effectively managed supplier relationships in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1492 Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your understanding of procurement metrics and key performance indicators. Be ready to discuss how you've managed purchase orders and supplier relationships in the past, as this role is all about execution and ownership.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to keep things organised and accurate. Discuss how you’ve maintained order trackers or delivery schedules in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your fit for a position that requires attention to detail.
✨Communicate Confidently
Since the role involves a lot of communication with suppliers, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think of scenarios where you’ve had to chase suppliers or resolve discrepancies, and be ready to share those experiences during the interview.
✨Embrace a Practical Mindset
The company values a low-ego, practical approach. Be prepared to discuss how you tackle challenges head-on and get things done without overcomplicating processes. This mindset will resonate well with the interviewers looking for someone who can make an immediate impact.