Senior Buyer- Plastics in Uttoxeter

About the role:

As a Senior Buyer in JCB’s Plastics Team, you will play a key role in securing high-quality, cost-effective plastic components that support the production of world-class off-highway machines. You will manage supplier relationships, deliver cost savings, support new product introduction (NPI) projects, and contribute to continuous supply chain improvement across JCB’s global manufacturing footprint.

The Senior Buyer will on occasion, deputise for the Purchase Manager and, depending on experience, be responsible for managing a commercial portfolio, supporting the launch of a NPI programme and producing monthly financial & KPI reports. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role requiring strong commercial awareness, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate across engineering, quality, operations, and category teams.

What does this role involve day to day?

• You’ll manage a diverse portfolio of plastics suppliers, ensuring quality, cost and delivery targets are met.
• You’ll assist stakeholders in establishing and managing to resolution, issues relating to price, capacity, quality, and customer service/warranty.
• You’ll support the Team with commercial guidance and training.
• You’ll oversee the implementation of strategies, facilitate the timely execution of products for new product launches, and supplier recovery and/or improvement programmes.
• You’ll work with the team to develop commercial contracts & strategies to deliver the financial targets.
• You’ll lead resourcing and cost‑down initiatives to maximise competitiveness and supply resilience.
• You’ll support category strategy development and define supplier performance criteria based on business knowledge and intelligence.
• You’ll deal directly with day-to-day supplier operational escalation for the category.
• You’ll identify the business structure collaboration required to ensure optimisation of resources within a category.

This will be suited to you if...

• You have purchasing experience in a fast-paced setting, preferably in an Engineering or Manufacturing environment; however, this is not essential.
• Your experience has given you an understanding of several key areas: category management, budget planning, supplier contracts, and project management.
• You have excellent communication skills that help you negotiate and lead teams.
• You’re highly motivated, meticulous, and tenacious in your approach.
• You have a CIPS qualification or relevant degree.
• You have high levels of financial awareness, NPI experience, and keen attention to detail.

What happens next?

Ordinarily, our Resourcing Team reviews and shortlists CVs. If shortlisted, you’ll speak to one of our Recruiters to discuss the role further. Our interview process usually consists of an initial team’s interview followed by an in-person interview. We’ll keep in touch throughout the process but if you have any questions, please get in touch at recruitment@jcb.com.

What’s in it for you?

This is your chance to join a company that values expertise not only in rewards but also in real employee care. At JCB you don’t just get a competitive salary, 33 days’ holiday and access to our company pension—you can also use our onsite gym, in-house doctor and dentist. We have an ULEV car scheme available for our employees too. Then there’s the JCB Rewards Hub, which gives you discounts with high street retailers. Feel like cycling to work? There’s our Cycle to Work Scheme.

We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our recruitment team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email recruitment@jcb.com, and a member of the team will be in touch.

Recruitment Agencies: JCB does not accept any speculative approaches to present candidates for advertised vacancies.