At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive procurement excellence and develop key supplier relationships in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Leading aerospace manufacturer focused on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, attractive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sourcing decisions and supplier partnerships in a growing industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within manufacturing and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Cheshire
Salary: £45,000 – £60,000 per annum + comprehensive benefits package
About Us: We are a leading manufacturer of precision-engineered components, supplying mission-critical parts to global OEMs and Tier 1 customers. Quality, innovation, and supply chain excellence are at the heart of our business, enabling us to deliver products that meet the highest industry standards. As we continue to grow, we are looking to appoint a Strategic Buyer to play a pivotal role in developing our supplier network, driving procurement excellence, and supporting the long-term success of our operations.
The Role: As Strategic Buyer, you will be responsible for developing and managing key supplier relationships while ensuring the effective procurement of materials and components to support business objectives. Working closely with operations, engineering, planning, and quality teams, you will identify opportunities to improve cost, quality, delivery, and supply chain resilience. This is a strategic position that requires strong commercial acumen, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to influence sourcing decisions, including participation in Buy vs Make evaluations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers to secure the best value, pricing, and contractual terms.
- Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key suppliers, driving performance and continuous improvement.
- Manage supplier order books to ensure material availability aligns with production schedules and customer demand.
- Monitor supplier performance, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions where required.
- Manage supply chain escalations, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues efficiently.
- Execute procurement activities in line with business requirements, ensuring cost-effective and timely sourcing of materials and components.
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives and supplier selection processes for new and existing products.
- Contribute to Buy vs Make decision-making by providing commercial analysis and supply chain insight.
- Work cross-functionally with engineering, production planning, quality, and operations teams to optimise supply chain performance.
- Analyse market trends, supplier capabilities, and cost drivers to identify opportunities for value creation and risk mitigation.
- Support inventory optimisation initiatives while maintaining service levels and operational continuity.
About You: You are an experienced procurement professional with a strategic mindset and a proven ability to build successful supplier partnerships within a manufacturing environment. You are commercially driven, highly organised, and confident managing complex supplier relationships in a fast-paced, quality-focused industry.
Essential Experience:
- Demonstrable procurement or buying experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Proven track record of leading supplier negotiations and achieving commercial improvements.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and driving supplier performance.
- Strong order book management experience.
- Experience handling supplier escalations and resolving supply chain challenges.
- Exposure to Buy vs Make decision-making processes.
- Excellent commercial awareness, analytical skills, and negotiation ability.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
Desirable Experience:
- Experience within the aerospace, aeronautical, defence, automotive, or precision engineering sectors.
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain planning tools.
- CIPS qualification or working towards professional procurement accreditation.
- Understanding of AS9100 or other regulated manufacturing quality standards.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary of £45,000 – £60,000, depending on experience.
- Attractive benefits package.
- The opportunity to join a well-established and growing aerospace manufacturing business.
- A collaborative working environment with opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- A strategic role with genuine influence over supplier partnerships, sourcing decisions, and business performance.
Strategic Buyer in Warrington employer: MJ Recruitment
As a leading manufacturer of precision-engineered components in Cheshire, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that prioritises quality, innovation, and employee growth. Our Strategic Buyer role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, alongside the opportunity to influence key supplier relationships and drive procurement excellence within a dynamic aerospace environment. Join us to be part of a well-established company that values your contributions and supports your professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Buyer in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its suppliers. Show us that you understand their business and how you can contribute to their procurement excellence. Tailor your answers to highlight your relevant experience!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Strategic Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure the best value. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence before those big interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Buyer in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic Buyer role. Highlight your procurement experience, especially in manufacturing or engineering, and showcase any successful supplier negotiations you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about procurement and how you can contribute to our team. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your commercial acumen and negotiation skills. Let us know why you're the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities. Did you save costs, improve supplier performance, or streamline processes? Quantify your successes where possible, as this will grab our attention and show us what you can bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at MJ Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Strategic Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your commercial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to procurement, such as cost savings achieved in previous roles or supplier performance improvements. Be ready to discuss specific examples where your negotiation skills led to tangible benefits.
✨Research the Company and Industry
Familiarise yourself with the company’s position in the aerospace and manufacturing sectors. Understand their key suppliers and competitors. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions but also allow you to ask insightful ones, showing your genuine interest in the role and the business.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of situations where you've successfully managed supplier relationships or resolved supply chain issues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience
Highlight your experience working with different teams like engineering, quality, and operations. Discuss how collaboration has led to improved procurement outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to work cross-functionally, which is crucial for the Strategic Buyer role.
