Senior Buyer in Sheffield

Clean Power Hydrogen plc is a vibrant alternative green energy technology company based in Doncaster and is listed on London's AIM market. Our technology platforms have caught the attention of many organisations both here in the UK and overseas. This role also gives you the chance to be part of a business that promotes development and recognises talent and is your opportunity to join a rapidly growing business.

About CPH2: Clean Power Hydrogen plc (CPH2) is a leading developer of Membrane-Free Electrolysers™ designed to produce green hydrogen and pure oxygen in a simple, safe, sustainable manner and at any scale. Dr. Nigel Williamson and Joe Scott established CPH2 (Ireland) in December 2012 with the ambition to help clean up the environment for our children and future generations. Entering the green technology sector, a high growth, and profitable market, they developed a Membrane-Free Electrolyser™ to produce hydrogen faster, more reliably, and more cost-effectively than PEM technology, which has barriers to adoption, including cost, reliability, and scalability.

Role Summary: As the Senior Buyer, you will report to the Supply Chain Manager. You must demonstrate a “can-do” attitude, excellent communication skills, and technical knowledge to succeed. This role is responsible for sourcing, procuring, and managing the supply of materials, components, and services needed for specific Engineering tasks. You will work closely with Engineers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure that all procurement activities align with engineering goals and are executed efficiently. The role supports strategic and business-critical projects throughout the factory value stream and is the pivotal link between procurement, engineering, and operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Material Sourcing: Own the ERN (Engineering Release Note) process from a procurement perspective. Be the Point of contact for the engineering team for all supply chain topics. Take a proactive approach to leading supplier/eng calls and establish the lead for commercial topics. Taking part in the formulation of strategy toward different suppliers in cooperation with other key stakeholders. Challenge, query and question the engineering team if something is incorrect or inconsistent. Identify cost-effective sourcing strategies to minimize project costs. Ensure that materials meet project specifications and quality standards. Provide timely, accurate reports and data from a supply chain perspective to aid the engineering team.
• Supplier Management: Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, ensuring they are suitably qualified by completing the necessary due diligence. Engage new suppliers and own the supplier onboarding process, ensuring this is completed in a timely fashion. Negotiate terms and conditions with suppliers, including pricing, delivery schedules, and quality standards. Establish and maintain relationships with key suppliers. Monitor supplier performance with KPIs and address any issues that may arise. Manage poor-performing suppliers with action plans and risk mitigation measures. Take a proactive approach to leading supplier calls.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to streamline and optimize procurement processes. Regularly assess workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvements to enhance efficiency. Cultivate strong relationships with our suppliers to establish a collaborative environment. Work closely with vendors to identify areas of improvement, implement best practices, and ensure a seamless flow of goods and services. Actively seek feedback from suppliers to drive continuous enhancement in procurement interactions.
• Supply Chain Coordination: Collaborate with engineering, supply chain and operations managers and other relevant departments to ensure seamless procurement and engineering activities integration. Manage inventory levels and order quantities to avoid overstock or shortages. Support sickness, holidays and times of absence within the SCM/Procurement function. Drive and implement new procurement processes to aid the team's operational effectiveness. Coach and mentor other team members to build a knowledge, information and best practice-sharing environment. Investigate and develop logistics management for shipment of MFE systems to customers/clients. Evaluate and coordinate SLA with customers/clients for ongoing MFE system support and maintenance. Any additional tasks given by the Procurement Lead/Senior Leadership Team.
• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with quality control and assurance teams to ensure that procured materials and components meet the required quality standards. Address quality issues and implement corrective actions as needed. Assist with supplier audits and visits, utilising a collaborative approach with colleagues in the Quality department.
• Cost Control: Develop and manage project budgets for procurement activities. Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising project quality. Evaluate and develop site wide sourcing activities to enable more effective facilities management, utilities and general cost optimisation. Monitor project expenses related to procurement and report any budget variances.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks related to procurement and develop strategies to mitigate them. Maintain awareness of market trends and changes that may impact procurement decisions.
• Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate records of all procurement activities, including contracts, purchase orders, and receipts. Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies.

Key skills and experience required:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• 'Can-do' attitude and willingness to take on new challenges.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritise tasks.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices and regulations.
• Experience working with ERP systems and other procurement tools.

This job specification is indicative of the role requirements; however, this is not exhaustive, and there will be requirements to operate outside of this. There will be a cross-over with other departments and functions accordingly.