Intercompany Supply Chain Buyer Planner in Abingdon

Company: Bio-Techne. Location: Abingdon (On‑site, EMEA). Reports To: Supply Chain Manager. Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week.

Position Summary

Responsible for sourcing stock from Bio-Techne internal brands and maintaining European inventory for the European customer base. As part of a small team, assist in managing, administering, and consistently optimising inventory levels to meet customer requirements by shortening lead times and minimising back orders with our global manufacturing sites, thereby improving the customer experience. The function supports the operations division to deliver an excellent customer experience.

Essential Functions

• Identifies and recommends suppliers by investigating potential suppliers, researching supplier capabilities, services, and materials availability.
• Prepares statements of work for items proposed for procurement.
• Develops potential bidders lists and formal requests for quotation or proposal.
• Conducts supplier site visits and evaluates capability, performance, quality, delivery, and other key business criteria.
• May support or lead supplier surveys as part of a technical or quality team.
• Evaluates proposals from incumbent and potential suppliers.
• Selects suppliers for highly complex or technical materials, supplies or services and negotiates price, delivery, quality and service.
• Mitigates company risk by developing alternate sources of supply when necessary.
• Negotiates final terms and conditions of purchase, awards and administers the procurement contract or purchase order to conclusion.
• Maintains accurate lead times for assigned area.
• Issues purchase orders and agreements that accurately reflect price, schedule, terms, and conditions as negotiated with suppliers.
• May include orders with international suppliers and/or subcontractors involving import/export trade.
• Monitors and evaluates supplier performance.
• Determines and implements corrective actions to resolve impending supplier failure to fulfil contractual agreements that may delay production or delivery.
• Resolves shipment quality discrepancies by mediating supplier/manufacturing issues.
• Facilitates inspections, substitutions, and standardisation by arranging and participating in conferences between suppliers and company personnel.
• Negotiates and settles damage claims, rejections, losses, return of materials, over-shipments, cancellations and engineering changes with suppliers.
• Monitors and evaluates supplier’s ability to meet all company and government or commercial procurement requirements and ensures that pertinent technical and quality issues receive adequate attention to assure compliance.
• Prepares complex reports and analyses by collecting, analysing, and summarising information and trends.
• Applies continuous improvement techniques and methods to internal processes and systems.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements improvement initiatives with key suppliers.
• Recommends actions by analysing and interpreting data and making comparative analyses.
• Analyses proposed changes in methods and materials.
• May lead or be assigned to a special project team.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing trade publications, establishing networks, and/or participating in professional associations.
• Complies with industry regulations; ensures adherence to requirements and advises management on needed actions.
• Complies with Government/ Commercial Practices Manual (GPM/CPM) policies and procedures.
• Provides leadership to others in department.
• Acts as prime contact on high level projects.
• Establishes goals and objectives required to complete projects.
• Trains and mentors less experienced employees.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• First working experience in a Buyer/Planner function required.
• Accurate and fast data entry skills.
• Strong analytical and communications skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft programmes: Word, Outlook, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
• Experience using Dynamics365 or similar ERP systems would be beneficial.
• Previous experience working in a supply chain environment would be an advantage.
• Fluent English; second language desirable but not essential.
• High demonstration of experience in a life science field.
• Ability to manage the efficient supply of special and custom‑design components.
• Experience with complex hardware manufacturing in low to mid‑volume environments.
• Team player that can take the lead and guide peer departments and functions.
• Excellent written, oral and presentation communication skills.
• Proven customer support and training experience essential.

Desired Skills

• Excellent attention to detail and analytical mindset.
• Ability to manipulate data to visualize trends and large data sets.
• Monitor status of open purchase orders to ensure on‑time delivery of all products, including timely resolution, communication and mitigation of future potential problems.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
• Ability to work independently and with multiple departments to understand complex business decisions.
• Strong interpersonal interaction skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and follow‑up skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Experience of a customer‑focused environment and ability to manage customer expectations.
• Ability to manage and resolve issues regarding PO‑to‑invoice discrepancies, returns and quality issues with suppliers.
• Should be able to travel as needed between EMEA offices.

Benefits & Culture

• Competitive wages and extensive benefits.
• Retirement programmes and an employee stock purchase plan.
• Opportunities for career development through mentorship, promotion, training and development.
• International and diverse working environment with employee resource groups.
• Volunteer and charity events; employee events that build a culture of caring and belonging.

Bio-Techne is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.