Senior Technical Buyer in Glasgow

At FlexMedical Solutions (FMS), we help our customers bring their ideas to life and create a healthier tomorrow, by providing contract design, development, and manufacturing services to medical device OEMs. In our role as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), we focus on the disposable component of diagnostic tests and have significant expertise with point of care (POC) in vitro diagnostics (IVD). We provide full assay development services and have impressive in‑house manufacturing capabilities, ranging from screen printing and laser ablation of electrodes for biosensors to final device assembly, including the formulation and deposition of chemistries. Our modern facilities are based in Livingston, central Scotland, less than 20 minutes from Edinburgh and 40 minutes from Glasgow. With a healthy mixture of UK and international clients, we are a forward‑looking organisation with an exciting future.

As an experienced and confident Technical Buyer, you will bring technical and administrative expertise to the company. Having demonstrated significant purchase and supply skills within a complex and technical environment, you will understand what it takes to meet business demands at all stages of a product lifecycle, ideally having been exposed to procurement in support of both R&D projects and commercial product supply. The Senior Technical Buyer is responsible for delivering the planning and procurement of all materials that facilitate the organisation’s R&D and manufacturing activities. FMS provides services to multiple clients, as such you will be competent in managing numerous complex activities simultaneously. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the business and play a key role in assisting with the development of our Supply Chain function to improve processes and systems. Working for a scaling organisation will provide you with a fantastic opportunity to make your mark and demonstrate your skills, helping to enhance the company’s performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Procurement
• Implementation of business beneficial supply agreements with key suppliers.
• Liaise with third parties (customers, vendors, and shipping companies) to ensure controlled and timely shipment of finished product.
• Technical procurement sourcing, negotiation, and purchase of raw materials, reagents, consumables, lab equipment, and production supplies in alignment with material specification, cost, and delivery objectives.
• Manage supplier relationships, monitor vendor performance, and resolve issues related to pricing, quality, and delivery.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies and the requirements of quality/regulatory standards (e.g., ISO, FDA, GMP).
• Adhere to FMS work instructions and business processes, for example, ensure approved supplier list is used for material orders, and suppliers adhere to relevant quality obligations and no change agreements.
• Maintain accurate purchasing documentation and supplier qualification records.
• Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of materials (BOMs) to define procurement requirements.
• Work closely with Engineering and R&D teams to understand technical needs and identify suitable sourcing strategies.
• Support supplier selection for technically complex or novel components e.g. diagnostics, consumables, and assemblies.
• Drive cost reduction via supplier negotiation, landed costing reviews, and price break realisations.
• Develop and maintain production and material requirement plans based on dynamic forecasts, sales orders, and inventory targets.
• Compliant and timely processing of customer purchase orders into FMS sales orders.
• Coordinate with R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to ensure timely availability of materials for ongoing projects and production schedules.
• Provide timely status updates to key stakeholders and communicate challenges and issues, particularly where risk or impact to production schedules or customer orders is posed, offering mitigation steps and alternative solutions.
• Inventory Management
• Monitor inventory levels and implement replenishment strategies to prevent shortages or excess.
• Support cycle counting and reconciliation processes to maintain inventory accuracy.
• Implement ERP/MRP systems to provide accurate demand planning, purchase orders, and work orders to enable both development and standard product delivery.
• Ensure continuity of supply through dual sourcing of key materials and cost avoidance techniques.
• Collaborate with warehouse colleagues to optimise storage and material flow.
• From time to time and as required, provide cover for warehouse operations, such as packing activity, receiving deliveries, physical unloading and lifting activities (where appropriate lifting aids should be used).
• Other
• Always work to the requirements of our Quality Management System (eQMS).
• Be SME for the company’s ERP system, supporting system development initiatives.
• Track and report on periodic key Supply Chain metrics (KPIs).
• The role may develop in future to include line management responsibilities for an individual or small team.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Qualified to minimum HND level in a relevant technical subject within science or engineering (consideration will be given to candidates that show significant relevant experience in lieu of academic qualification).
• Demonstratable experience performing a similar role within a regulated industry.
• Proven experience of effective and successful negotiation with suppliers, to include volume breaks cost down, MoQs, and payment terms.
• Demonstrable experience of successful planning and procurement activities that support the successful, on‑time delivery of multiple products and projects simultaneously.
• Experience of working to ISO13485 standards or similar.
• A good appreciation of GmP.
• Competent using finance/ERP system e.g. MS Dynamics Business Central.
• Experience of working in a high mix / low volume setting synonymous with R&D and CDMO environments.
• Able to read and interpret technical specifications and drawings.
• Detail‑oriented.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, coupled by good time management.
• Highly competent in the use of MS Excel.
• Strong understanding of supply and demand principles, and inventory control techniques.
• Experience of working closely with finance teams to resolve payment issues and disputes and ensure suppliers are set up correctly.
• Adept communicator, effective at communicating with all levels and across all business areas.
• You must be physically able/fit to perform manual duties as required (may include some heavy lifting with appropriate aids/equipment).
• A degree qualification within a relevant science or engineering related subject.
• Experience of working in a scientific/engineering laboratory within a medical device (diagnostics) or pharma environment.
• Direct client experience i.e. communication with and meeting exposure.
• Experience working in a CDMO.
• International shipping experience.
• An understanding of current incoterms and related shipping regulations.
• Knowledgeable of handling requirements around hazardous materials.
• Green Belt qualification in six sigma / process excellence.
• Experience of developing new processes and procedures, and then successfully implementing these.

FlexMedical Solutions is an evolving, scaling organisation operating in a highly regulated industry. The company is enjoying growth through success and is working on several leading‑edge projects with extremely exciting customers. It is a changing environment that requires you to be very flexible and willing to learn and grow with the company. It is essential that you communicate with your colleagues and contribute to the company’s success. As a provider of sub‑contract services, working for FlexMedical Solutions will bring variety and excitement. Initiative will be rewarded, and personal development is a given.

Apply Now

Please send your CV and a covering letter, outlining your suitability for the post.