Senior Buyer in Crawley

A privately owned global leader in the healthcare products industry is seeking a Senior Buyer and Supply Planner to strengthen its high-performing Supply Chain function. This is a role for someone who thrives on autonomy, challenges assumptions, and brings sharp analytical thinking to complex supply-demand environments. You’ll support the Head of Supply Chain in driving operational excellence across planning, purchasing, inventory optimisation, supplier performance, and data accuracy. In their absence, you’ll confidently lead meetings, represent the function, and ensure continuity of decision-making. This is a role for someone who is naturally inquisitive, confident, and comfortable questioning the status quo to improve processes, accuracy, and outcomes.

Role Purpose

You will ensure the effective and efficient operation of supply and demand planning activities. Your work will directly impact product availability, inventory health, supplier performance, and the success of the monthly S&OP cycle. You will play a key role in:

• Balancing supply and demand
• Improving OTIF performance
• Maximising stock availability
• Reducing excess and obsolete inventory
• Maintaining accurate ERP data
• Supporting continuous improvement across the supply chain

Key Responsibilities

Supply & Inventory Planning

• Manage demand forecasts, supply plans, and inventory levels
• Analyse variances and adjust plans proactively
• Maintain optimal stock levels across product ranges

Purchasing

• Raise and manage purchase orders
• Build strong supplier relationships
• Monitor supplier performance and delivery accuracy

ERP & Data Management

• Maintain accurate product, supplier, and inventory data
• Ensure system integrity and alignment with planning cycles
• Support continuous improvement of ERP processes

Operational Support

• Support daily supply chain operations
• Troubleshoot supply issues and escalate where needed
• Lead meetings in the absence of the Head of Supply Chain

Process & Compliance

• Challenge existing processes and propose improvements
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and standards
• Support continuous improvement initiatives

Communication & Collaboration

• Work closely with suppliers, commercial teams, logistics, and senior stakeholders
• Communicate risks, opportunities, and recommendations clearly
• Contribute to a smooth and effective S&OP cycle.

Requirements

• Confident leadership — able to work independently and lead meetings when required
• Inquisitive mindset — naturally questions processes and seeks better ways of working
• End-to-end supply chain understanding — forecasting, demand/supply balancing, variances, inventory optimisation
• Stakeholder communication strength — credible, clear, and effective with senior leaders
• Advanced Excel capability — pivot tables, complex formulas, large-data analysis
• ERP proficiency — confident managing data accuracy and system integrity
• Attention to detail — meticulous, structured, and reliable
• 4+ years’ experience in supply chain, planning, or buyer-planner roles
• Backgrounds welcomed from manufacturing, logistics, consumer goods, retail, or any product-based industry

Benefits

This position sits at the heart of supply chain performance. Your decisions will directly influence product availability, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and financial outcomes. You’ll be joining a global organisation with strong values, long-term stability, and a commitment to excellence.

Salary Of Up to £45,000 Plus Benefits