Overview
In this role you will drive strategic sourcing across electrical components and assemblies to support growth and supply chain resilience. You’ll collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain teams to optimize supplier performance and lead negotiations that deliver best-value outcomes. You will analyze market data to inform decisions and present recommendations to senior leadership. The position emphasizes continuous improvement and supplier development to enable product roadmaps and innovations.
Pay / Benefits
- competitive salary and benefits package
- annual bonus scheme
- career development opportunities
- interaction with senior leadership
- global exposure
- focus on work-life balance
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies for electrical components and assemblies (e.g., PCB assemblies, power supplies, cables, motors, sensors, box builds)
- Manage strategic supplier relationships and drive improvements in cost, quality, delivery, capacity and service
- Lead RFQ/RFP processes, negotiations, and contract discussions for best-value outcomes
- Analyze supplier cost structures, inflation trends, labor and utility costs, and market data to support decisions
- Present sourcing strategies, supplier performance reviews and business recommendations to leadership
- Drive cost reduction, value engineering and continuous improvement across the supplier base
- Develop and maintain commodity strategies aligned to business objectives and roadmaps
- Identify, evaluate and qualify new suppliers to support innovation and growth
- Collaborate with Engineering on new product introductions and supplier development
- Supervise supplier performance via metrics, business reviews and corrective actions
- Conduct supply chain risk analyses and mitigation for capacity constraints and sole-source risks
- Support supplier audits, quality improvement initiatives and regulatory compliance
- Maintain supplier, pricing and contract data in ERP/MRP systems
- Stay informed of market trends and raw material fluctuations affecting commodities
- Travel within the UK and internationally as needed
Key requirements
- Significant experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or commodity management in electrical/electronics/manufacturing
- Outstanding negotiation and commercial leadership skills
- Ability to influence at all levels including senior leadership
- Strong presentation of strategies, recommendations and cases
- Data-driven decision making and market intelligence usage
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
- Proactive, collaborative and customer-focused demeanor
- Strategic mindset with focus on long-term planning, supplier development and continuous improvement
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and experience with SAP or similar ERP
- negotiation
- leadership
- influencing across levels
- Microsoft Excel
- PowerPoint
- Word
Strategic Category Buyer employer: KLA-Tencor
KLA's SPTS division in Newport, UK, is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where engineers and scientists are empowered to drive advancements in semiconductor technology. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth through project management tasks and international collaboration, KLA is dedicated to supporting its employees' career aspirations while contributing to cutting-edge developments in the electronics industry.
