Buyer / Supply Chain Lead in Uckfield

Position Summary The Buyer / Supply Chain Lead will be responsible for executing day-to-day purchasing activities, managing inventory levels, and maintaining strong supplier relationships to support efficient manufacturing operations. In this role, you will balance operational purchasing tasks with cost-reduction initiatives, helping to transition the business away from legacy procurement habits. You will ensure material availability for production while actively identifying opportunities to optimize stock and reduce supply chain risk. You will work on improving supply chain performance through strategic sourcing, supplier management, inventory optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives. The role focuses on reducing cost, improving supplier performance, strengthening supply chain resilience while leading significant business change and challenging historic practices. This is a hands-on role suited to an experienced manufacturing buyer / supply chain professional capable of balancing day-to-day operational support with longer-term strategic improvement. This is a sole role with No direct reports.. Key Responsibilities Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain Improvement * Lead supplier selection, supplier rationalisation and sourcing activities. * Identify and implement material cost reduction opportunities. * Reduce reliance on sole-source suppliers and develop alternative supply options. * Lead make-versus-buy evaluations and implement outsourcing initiatives where commercially and operationally advantageous. Supplier Quality & Performance * Manage supplier performance across quality, delivery, responsiveness and cost.and lead supplier performance reviews. * Own supplier NCRs, corrective actions and supplier follow-up. * Carry out incoming inspection activities where required. Purchasing, Inventory & Logistics Improvement * Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve purchasing, planning, stores and logistics processes. * Improve inventory management, stock accuracy and material control processes and drive reductions in excess and obsolete inventory. * Own ERP/MRP planning parameters including lead times, safety stocks and ordering policies. * Identify and implement opportunities to simplify and standardise logistics processes. * Support efficient domestic and international logistics arrangements. Operational & Cross-Functional Support * Influence and support stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Sales and Finance to implement agreed supply chain improvements. * Work with Operations and Production teams to maintain material availability and production continuity. * Support investigation and resolution of supplier-related quality issues. Continuous Improvement & Compliance * Drive practical supply chain and inventory improvement initiatives. * Support compliance with ISO9001 and Company quality procedures relating to suppliers and incoming materials. * Support internal and external audits where required. * Maintain accurate supplier, inventory and incoming inspection records. Experience and Skills * Experience in purchasing, supply chain or procurement within a manufacturing environment. * Day to day purchasing functions * Experience with goods-in processes, incoming inspection, and non-conforming material control * Hands on experience using MRP/ERP systems in manufacturing. * Experience of outsourced manufacturing and make-versus-buy analysis. * Experience leading change and implementing process improvements in a manufacturing environment. * Strong understanding of supplier quality, performance management, and supply chain risk. * Practical problem-solving skills with a focus on containment, delivery, and operational continuity. * Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills. * Professional purchasing qualification (e.g. CIPS) or equivalent experience would be an advantage. Competetive salary , Pension, Life Insurance, Private Health Insurance, Twenty days holiday plus statutory bank holidays