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- Tasks: Lead a team in managing purchasing activities and stock levels.
- Company: Join a world-renowned provider of innovative and sustainable solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous completion bonus, and great benefits.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team tackling complex challenges across various industries.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing, strong management skills, and SAP knowledge required.
- Other info: This is an 18-month maternity cover role with opportunities for training and development.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Details
Updated : Thu, Jul 17, 2025 12 : 02 PM
Senior Buyer – Maternity Cover
Snodland
£Neg plus generous completion bonus and benefits
Our client, a world-renowned provider of innovative and sustainable solutions, is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer for an 18-month maternity cover contract.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a company dedicated to creating efficient and scalable solutions that address complex challenges across a range of industries.
Responsibilities
- Day-to-day management of direct reports, including TMS, appraisals & PDPs.
- Assist in the implementation of a category management approach.
- Support with any site-specific requirements or group purchasing instructions as may be required from time to time.
- Manage the re-order points for spare parts, investigate and liaise with Engineering to ensure correct stock quantities are maintained of suitable spares.
- Manage consignment stocks, ensuring all settlements are carried out on a monthly cycle.
- Manage the creation of material master data in SAP for spare parts.
- Source non-stock engineering parts.
- Record all cost savings in a departmental spreadsheet for audit purposes.
- Ensure the SAP physical inventory checks are carried out daily and that 100% of inventory is counted within each fiscal year, as evidenced by (MIDO) in SAP. Monitor and recount high-value differences, investigating as necessary to ensure a high level of stock accuracy is maintained.
- Assist MRP Controller with any high-value or priority purchases.
- Ensure the central stores are compliant with Safety and Environmental rules and legislation, and that the operatives are fully trained and act at all times in a safe manner, ensuring safe systems of work and risk assessment are regularly completed.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with the key internal and external stakeholders to facilitate and develop cost-saving strategies across all Mill departments.
- Provide stores with cover for planned or unplanned machine shutdowns.
- Provide departmental cover as required.
- Participate when required in training programmes as part of the annual appraisal process.
- Attend and actively participate in team meetings.
- Accept additional education / training as deemed necessary, as a result of new equipment and/or changes in technology, in order to continue satisfactorily carrying out the role.
- When requested, to be available for meetings / projects / working away for short periods of time, which may include occasional overnight trips.
- Monitor and assess all Operations / procedures, and when required, assist in updating/improvements.
Person Specification
- Highly motivated and analytical with excellent purchasing experience, including good negotiating and communication skills.
- Strong management skills to lead a small team and gain support from all departmental managers for purchasing activities.
- Experience in using SAP with a sound knowledge of MRP.
- Flexible and not work time orientated Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications.
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply at level 4 or above.
- Extensive experience in a supervisory purchasing role, preferably within a manufacturing environment or a heavy engineering environment.
- Excellent SAP MM experience within a purchasing role and with excellent troubleshooting mentality.
- Experienced negotiator with a proven track record of cost reduction initiatives.
- Category Management experience is preferred, but not essential.
- Ability to manage a tender process.
Skill and Qualities
- Strong Leadership
- SAP
- Motivation
- Ethical behaviour
- Teamwork
- Travel friendly
- Flexibility
- Negotiating
- IT Literacy (word, excel)
- Analytical skills
- Commercially aware (contracts)
- Proactive approach to working and supervision
- Target setting
At KHR we take care to ensure that you are represented as well as possible so it is worth checking your CV for layout, spelling and grammar as well as making sure it is up to date before you submit. If you feel you need to highlight particular qualifications, skills or relevant experience with regards to a specific role then please add a cover letter or a preface page. This does not need to be formatted in the same manner. In addition, if your CV is heavy with graphics etc, please could you also submit a “clean” copy in Word. Thank you.
KHR – Recruitment Specialists is a trading name of KH Recruitment Ltd. Keep in touch with us online for job alerts, industry updates and market trends…
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Senior Buyer employer: KHR Recruitment Specialists
Contact Detail:
KHR Recruitment Specialists Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with SAP and MRP systems, as these are crucial for the Senior Buyer role. Consider taking a short online course or tutorial to brush up on your skills, especially if you haven't used them recently.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the purchasing and supply chain field. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may have insights or tips about the role and the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in cost reduction initiatives and category management during interviews. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate your success in these areas, as they are key responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by thinking of ways you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Be ready to explain how you can motivate and lead a small team effectively in the new role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in purchasing, management, and SAP. Emphasise your achievements in cost reduction and team leadership to align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Senior Buyer role. Mention specific skills like negotiation and category management, and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have membership in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply or any other relevant qualifications, make sure to mention these prominently in your application. This can set you apart from other candidates.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your CV and cover letter for spelling and grammar errors. A clean, professional presentation is crucial, so consider submitting a 'clean' copy of your CV in Word format as suggested.
How to prepare for a job interview at KHR Recruitment Specialists
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Buyer, you'll be managing a small team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight any experience you have with appraisals and personal development plans.
✨Demonstrate Your SAP Expertise
Since the role requires excellent SAP MM experience, make sure to brush up on your knowledge of the system. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've used SAP to manage inventory or improve purchasing processes.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Negotiation skills are crucial for this position. Think of examples where you've successfully negotiated cost reductions or improved supplier terms. Be ready to role-play a negotiation scenario during the interview.
✨Understand Category Management
While category management experience is preferred but not essential, it's beneficial to understand the principles behind it. Research how category management can impact purchasing decisions and be prepared to discuss how you would implement it in this role.
