At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive procurement strategies and optimise supplier relationships in engineering and manufacturing.
- Company: Join a global market leader with a focus on diversity and equality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a structured 37-hour work week and early finishes every Friday.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Secure a long-term contract while making a real impact in the supply chain.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing within engineering or manufacturing and strong data analytics skills.
The predicted salary is between 32.3 - 32.3 £ per hour.
Location: Peterborough
Position Type: 12-Month Contract
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Early weekend finish!)
Pay Rates: £28.30 - £32.30 per hour
Start Date: ASAP
Are you an experienced procurement professional with a strong track record in the engineering or manufacturing sectors? Looking for a long-term, stable contract that offers an exceptional work-life balance and a 1:00 PM finish every single Friday? We are seeking a commercially minded Category Buyer to deliver end-to-end supply network solutions. Utilizing Quality, Cost, Logistics, Development, and Management (QCLDM) frameworks, you will play a vital role in driving maximum value, mitigating supply chain risks, and fostering elite vendor partnerships.
What You'll Do:
- Strategy Execution: Develop, manage, and execute comprehensive category strategies, overseeing purchasing policies, master agreements, source catalogs, and specialized procurement programs.
- Cost & Quality Optimization: Proactively identify opportunities for sustainable cost decreases, inventory reductions, and product quality improvements.
- Supplier Liaison: Act as the primary, explicit communication link between the organization and external suppliers, balancing manufacturing production demands with external supplier conditions.
- Performance Tracking: Closely monitor and document supplier performance regarding production quality and time-sensitiveness, maintaining robust, long-term vendor relationships.
- Risk Assessment: Take full accountability for the economic soundness of business proposals and conduct thorough vendor risk assessments.
What We Are Looking For (Requirements):
- Industry Background: Proven purchasing or buyer experience specifically within the Engineering or Manufacturing industries.
- Data Analytics: Working knowledge of inspecting, transforming, and modeling supply chain data to discover trends, evaluate performance, and present clear findings to management.
- Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation: A solid understanding of strategic sourcing methodologies and commercial negotiation concepts to build trust and collaborate constructively with vendors.
- Purchasing Systems Mastery: Practical experience using modern procurement tools and tracking purchasing tasks (bidding, orders) while ensuring absolute compliance with contract specifications.
- Communication Skills: The ability to present technical reports orally and in writing, handle feedback constructively, and explicitly collaborate across various business departments.
Why Apply for This Contract?
- Premium Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a highly structured 37-hour work week with a short day every single Friday.
- Long-Term Stability: A secure 12-month contract with a global market leader.
Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Category Buyer (Engineering / Manufacturing) in Peterborough employer: Construction, Property and Engineering
Join a leading global market player as a Category Buyer in Peterborough, where you will benefit from a structured 37-hour work week and an early finish every Friday, promoting an exceptional work-life balance. Our inclusive work culture fosters professional growth through diverse procurement challenges, while our commitment to employee development ensures you have the tools and support needed to excel in your role. With a focus on strategic sourcing and vendor relationships, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Contact Details:
Construction, Property and Engineering Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer (Engineering / Manufacturing) in Peterborough
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer (Engineering / Manufacturing) in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Construction, Property and Engineering that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Construction, Property and Engineering can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Construction, Property and Engineering that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Construction, Property and Engineering know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Construction, Property and Engineering
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
