At a Glance
- Tasks: Source raw materials and manage supplier relationships to support manufacturing and new product launches.
- Company: Join Howdens, a leader in high-quality products and exceptional value for trade customers.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, pension scheme, life assurance, and staff discounts.
- Other info: 12-month fixed-term contract with opportunities for growth and recognition.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product development and business performance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or procurement, strong negotiation skills, and excellent problem-solving abilities.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
At Howdens, we're passionate about delivering high-quality products, exceptional availability and outstanding value to our trade customers.
We're looking for a commercially minded Buyer to join our Raw Materials Purchasing team on a 12-month fixed-term contract, based full time at our Head Office in Howden.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in sourcing the raw materials that support our manufacturing operations, new product development programmes and long-term growth plans.
Working closely with suppliers and stakeholders across the business, you'll ensure we have the right materials, at the right quality, cost and time, while balancing commercial objectives with quality, availability and ESG considerations to support both current and future business requirements.
Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you'll take ownership of a purchasing portfolio, lead sourcing and supplier improvement initiatives, and support the successful delivery of new product introductions.
This is a varied and influential role that offers the opportunity to work across multiple business functions while making a direct impact on cost, supply chain resilience and business performance.
What will I be doing within this role?
- Managing relationships with suppliers across product categories.
- Sourcing raw materials to support manufacturing and new product launches.
- Leading projects to introduce new products and identify new supply opportunities.
- Running supplier tenders and benchmarking exercises to ensure competitive pricing.
- Negotiating costs, contracts and commercial terms with suppliers.
- Monitoring supplier performance to ensure quality, availability and service standards are met.
- Working closely with internal teams including Product Development, Manufacturing and Supply Chain.
What do I need to be successful in this role?
- Previous success in a Buyer, Purchasing or Procurement role.
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills.
- Experience leading sourcing, tendering or cost-reduction activities.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working across multiple departments to deliver projects.
- A proactive approach with the ability to identify improvements and efficiencies.
What we can offer you
- 12-month fixed-term contract.
- Competitive salary and annual bonus scheme.
- Award‑winning pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%).
- Life assurance.
- Staff discount.
- Exceptional Reward and Recognition events.
Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned.
We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome.
We will do everything we can to support you during your application.
If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.
Please note that candidates applying for this role must have a valid right to work in the UK, we do not offer sponsorship of employment for any depot positions at this time.
We appreciate your understanding.
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Raw Materials Buyer in Goole employer: Energy Jobline ZR
World Wide Technology (WWT) is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a Programme Director in London. With a strong focus on employee growth, WWT offers opportunities to lead cutting-edge automation projects while working in a hybrid environment that promotes work-life balance. The company values transparent communication and client-first service, ensuring that employees are empowered to drive meaningful outcomes and develop their skills in a supportive atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Raw Materials Buyer in Goole
✨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 Raw Materials Buyer in Goole
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 Energy Jobline ZR 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, Energy Jobline ZR 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 Energy Jobline ZR 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 Energy Jobline ZR 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 Energy Jobline ZR
✨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.
