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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: Competitive salary, profit share, early finish Fridays, and impactful role.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and visibility in a stable environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a growing company and shape procurement processes.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational buying, 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 in Derby employer: 1492 Ltd
Contact Detail:
1492 Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and rail sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Buyer role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its procurement processes. Be ready to discuss how you can bring structure and efficiency to their buying activities. Show them you’re the hands-on Buyer they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly gives you a better chance of standing out. Let’s get you that Buyer role where your skills will shine!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your operational buying experience and any relevant industry knowledge to show us you’re the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this position. Share specific examples of how you've managed procurement processes or improved supplier relationships in the past — we love seeing real impact!
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since the role requires a high level of organisation, mention any tools or methods you use to keep track of orders and suppliers. We want to see how you keep things moving smoothly!
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
As a Buyer, you'll be dealing with high-value spend portfolios, so brush up on your procurement metrics. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and purchase orders in the past. This shows you understand the financial impact of your role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be liaising with suppliers regularly, demonstrate your communication prowess. Prepare examples of how you've effectively resolved issues or negotiated terms with vendors. This will highlight your confidence and ability to maintain strong supplier relationships.
✨Be Detail-Oriented
This role requires a keen eye for detail, so come prepared with examples that showcase your organisational skills. Discuss how you've maintained order trackers or managed delivery schedules in previous roles to illustrate your proactive approach.
✨Understand the Industry
While rail experience isn't essential, having a grasp of the engineering and manufacturing sectors can set you apart. Do some research on current trends in the rail supply chain and be ready to discuss how they might impact procurement processes.