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- 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, early finish Fridays, and career growth.
- Other info: Join a stable, growing company with a strong order book.
- Why this job: Make a real impact from day one in a hands-on buying role.
- 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.
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 in Derby employer: 1492 Ltd
Contact Detail:
1492 Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Rail/Engineering in Derby
✨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 projects, especially in rail maintenance and procurement. Show them you’re not just a buyer but someone who understands their specific needs and challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills. Since this role involves a lot of supplier interaction, being confident and clear on the phone is key. Maybe do some mock calls with a friend to get comfortable!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Rail/Engineering 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 background 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 dealt with suppliers, so we can see your hands-on approach in action.
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 deliveries. We want to know how you stay on top of things and ensure everything runs 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 during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at 1492 Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer, you'll be managing high purchase order volumes. Brush up on your numerical skills and be ready to discuss how you've handled similar responsibilities in the past. Bring examples of how you’ve improved efficiency or accuracy in previous roles.
✨Master the Art of Communication
This role requires you to be a confident communicator, especially over the phone with suppliers. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare to share instances where your communication skills helped resolve issues or improve supplier relationships.
✨Get Organised
Being highly organised is key for this position. Before the interview, think about how you manage multiple tasks and keep track of orders. You might want to bring a sample of an order tracker or delivery schedule you've created to showcase your organisational skills.
✨Show Your Proactive Side
The company is looking for someone who takes ownership and follows through. Be prepared to discuss times when you took initiative in your previous roles. Highlight any improvements you made to procurement processes or how you tackled challenges head-on.