At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement and supplier relationships in a dynamic pharmaceutical environment.
- Company: Join a growing pharmaceutical manufacturing business in Kent with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours, hybrid working, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a regulated industry while developing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong organisational skills are essential.
Location: Aylesford, Kent (Hybrid)
Salary: £22,800 – £28,800 (21 hours per week)
Full-Time Equivalent: £38,000 – £48,000
Hours: 21 hours per week
Working Pattern Preferred: 3 full days per week (8am–4pm or 9am–5pm)
Flexible working arrangements considered. One working day must be Monday. Up to 1 day per week working from home.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Buyer to join a growing pharmaceutical manufacturing business in Kent. This role combines procurement, supplier management and supplier quality activities within a regulated GMP environment. Working closely with Manufacturing, Quality and Operations teams, you will play a key role in ensuring materials, services and equipment are sourced effectively whilst maintaining supplier performance, quality standards and regulatory compliance. This position would suit an experienced procurement professional seeking a flexible part-time opportunity within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage purchasing and planning activities through the ERP system.
- Source and procure raw materials, consumables, services and equipment.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts and supplier agreements.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Support supplier onboarding, qualification and performance management activities.
- Conduct supplier reviews and assist with supplier audits where required.
- Investigate supplier quality issues and support corrective actions.
- Maintain accurate procurement and quality documentation.
- Support GMP, customer and regulatory audits.
- Assist with CAPAs, deviations, change controls and other quality management activities.
- Monitor supplier performance and identify potential supply chain risks.
- Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies where required.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and supply chain operations.
- Support KPI reporting, supplier performance analysis and business improvement projects.
About You
Essential Requirements
- Previous experience within Procurement, Purchasing, Buying or Supply Chain.
- Experience working within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of supplier management and procurement processes.
- Experience using ERP systems.
- Good Microsoft Excel skills.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively across departments.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience within a regulated manufacturing environment such as Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Life Sciences or Chemicals.
- GMP knowledge and understanding.
- Experience supporting supplier quality activities.
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS).
- Experience participating in supplier audits.
- Understanding of risk management methodologies such as FMEA.
- CIPS qualification or studying towards CIPS.
What’s On Offer?
- Flexible part-time working arrangement.
- Hybrid working available.
- Opportunity to work within a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
- Broad role covering procurement, supplier quality and continuous improvement.
- Supportive and collaborative team culture.
- Opportunity to make a visible impact within a growing organisation.
Buyer - Pharmaceuticals employer: Cranleigh Scientific
Join a dynamic pharmaceutical manufacturing business in Aylesford, Kent, where you can thrive in a flexible part-time role as a Buyer. Enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture that values employee growth and offers opportunities to make a significant impact within a regulated environment. With hybrid working options and a focus on continuous improvement, this is an excellent opportunity for procurement professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Pharmaceuticals
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the pharmaceutical industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Buyer role.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interview by researching the company and its values. Think about how your experience in procurement and supplier management aligns with their needs. We recommend practising common interview questions and having some examples ready to showcase your skills in action!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance, highlight your ERP system experience and any GMP knowledge you have. We want to see how you can contribute to their procurement processes and supplier quality activities. Make sure to back up your claims with real-life examples!
✨Apply Through Our Website
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 are proactive and take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Pharmaceuticals
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role in Pharmaceuticals. Highlight your procurement experience and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background fits with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your experience aligns with our needs. Keep it concise but engaging – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your ERP system experience and any GMP knowledge you have. We’re keen on seeing your problem-solving abilities and how you manage supplier relationships, so make sure these come through in your application.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cranleigh Scientific
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement and supplier management knowledge. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences in buying, especially within a regulated environment like pharmaceuticals. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully negotiated contracts or managed supplier relationships.
✨Familiarise Yourself with GMP
Since this role is in a GMP environment, it’s crucial to understand Good Manufacturing Practices. Prepare to talk about how you've ensured compliance in past roles and any relevant experiences with quality management systems. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the terms but can apply them effectively.
✨Show Off Your ERP Skills
The job mentions managing purchasing through an ERP system, so be ready to discuss your experience with these systems. If you’ve used specific software, mention it! Talk about how you’ve leveraged ERP tools to streamline procurement processes or improve supplier performance.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled challenges in procurement or supplier management. Whether it’s resolving quality issues or managing supply chain risks, showcasing your analytical skills and ability to think on your feet will impress the interviewers.
