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- Tasks: Lead procurement for our flagship Rock Insulation Plant, ensuring smooth operations and strong supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join Knauf Insulation, a leader in sustainable manufacturing with a commitment to equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, enhanced sick pay, career progression, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups in manufacturing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn are key.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
As our Plant Buyer, you will be the procurement heartbeat of our new flagship Rock Insulation Plant in Shotton. You will lead plant-level buying with real autonomy—keeping a 24/7 operation running without interruption, building robust supplier partnerships, and driving value, safety, quality and sustainability. You will shape and embed best-practice purchasing processes, act as a key member of the Plant Management Team, and partner closely with colleagues across KINE in the UK and our Central Procurement team in Belgium.
Responsibilities
- Own all plant procurement activity, balancing strategic thinking with day‑to‑day delivery in a fast‑moving manufacturing environment.
- Schedule and manage raw materials, services, spares and packaging to meet production needs and optimal stock levels – zero production stops is the goal.
- Embed purchasing processes in line with regional and central policies; support site audit requirements and plant business plan objectives.
- Build strong, value‑adding relationships with internal teams and external partners; promote early purchasing involvement across the site.
- Manage a broad supplier base (strategic and tactical), negotiate with incumbents and new entrants, and actively scan markets to strengthen competition and supply performance.
Qualifications
- Experience of pre and post tender procurement activities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to work autonomously, quickly, accurately and to tight deadlines.
- P‑2‑P & E‑procurement experience.
- Highly experienced in the use of SAP.
- Positive attitude to change.
- Attention to detail, tenacity & problem solving.
Benefits
- Enhanced Holiday Pay – 33 days including bank holidays plus the opportunity to purchase more.
- 16 weeks Company Sick Pay after 3 months of service.
- Group Income Protection.
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption packages.
- Life Assurance – 4 × annual salary.
- Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.
- Staff Bonus Scheme.
- Career Progression Routes.
- Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured.
- Westfield Health Cash Plan.
- Perkbox.
- Access to Costco Membership.
- Wickes Employee Purchase Scheme.
- On‑site Gyms.
- Wellbeing Initiatives and Mental Health First Aiders.
- Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- On‑site Car Charging Points.
Knauf Insulation welcomes applications from everyone and is committed to treating everyone equally, regardless of age; sex; disability; ethnicity; gender identity; religion/belief; sexual orientation; marriage/civil partnership or pregnancy/maternity. In particular, we encourage applications from people from a minority background or from demographics that are underrepresented in the manufacturing industry. We are a Disability Confident Leader (Level 1) and take care to ensure good EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) practices in all our operations. If you are invited to an interview, a member of our team will be in touch via email to enquire about any access requirements or reasonable adjustments that we can make for your interview.
Plant Buyer employer: KNAUF INSULATION LIMITED
Contact Detail:
KNAUF INSULATION LIMITED Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Plant Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at Knauf Insulation. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral—who doesn’t love a good recommendation?
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Knauf Insulation’s values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about our mission and can contribute to our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating your experience in procurement and how you can keep our plant running smoothly. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and ready to dive into the role of Plant Buyer.
We think you need these skills to ace Plant Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Procurement: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for procurement! Share examples of how you've successfully managed buying processes in the past and how you can bring that experience to our flagship Rock Insulation Plant.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Plant Buyer role. Highlight relevant skills like your experience with SAP, P2P & E-procurement, and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to keep operations running smoothly.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point in your application. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and how you fit into our fast-paced environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Knauf Insulation!
How to prepare for a job interview at KNAUF INSULATION LIMITED
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in pre and post tender activities. Familiarise yourself with P2P and E-procurement processes, as well as SAP, since these are crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent verbal and written communication skills are key, prepare to demonstrate how you've effectively communicated with suppliers and internal teams in the past. Think of specific examples where your communication made a difference.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss times when you've faced challenges in procurement and how you tackled them. Highlight your attention to detail and tenacity, as these traits will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
The job requires someone who can work autonomously and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment. Share experiences that showcase your ability to handle tight deadlines and changing circumstances while maintaining quality.