Supply Chain Specialist (home-based)

Job reference: O912941Sector: Engineering & IndustrialClosing date: 2026-09-30OverviewOur Client are an internationally renowned engineering business, who are enjoying continued growth across many departments. They are now seeking an experienced Buyer to join a highly successful team. As Buyer herey ou will play an important part in keeping production moving by ensuring materials, components, consumables, and services are available when needed. You will be involved in day-to-day purchasing activity, supplier communication, and supply chain coordination within a busy aerospace manufacturing environment. Working closely with Planning, Production, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and external suppliers, you will support continuity of supply, resolve issues, and contribute to improvements in cost, quality, delivery, and supplier performance. Wider duties will include: Purchasing & Supply Management: you will take ownership of raising, placing, and managing purchase orders in line with business requirements, approved suppliers, and internal procedures. This includes ensuring materials, components, consumables, and services are ordered in time to support production schedules and customer delivery commitmentsYou will monitor open purchase orders, expedite deliveries where required, and communicate potential supply risks proactively. Accurate purchasing information, including delivery dates, supplier responses, pricing, and ERP/MRP records, will be an important part of the roleSupplier Management: you will build and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers to support quality, cost, and delivery objectives. You will also request and review quotations, compare supplier responses, and contribute to value-for-money purchasing decisionsThe role will involve supporting supplier performance monitoring, including delivery performance, quality issues, responsiveness, and commercial competitiveness. You will work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve shortages, late deliveries, invoice queries, and non-conformance issues in a timely and professional mannerInventory, Planning & Operational Support: working closely with Planning, Warehouse(s) and Production, you will help ensure purchased items are available in line with manufacturing demand. This will include reviewing purchase requirements, order acknowledgements, lead times, and stock availability to help prevent material shortages or excess inventoryYou will also assist with stock control activities, including minimum order quantities, reorder levels, and supplier lead-time reviews, while contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across purchasing, inventory management, and supply chain processesCompliance, Records & Administration: procurement activity must be completed in line with company procedures, quality requirements, and applicable customer or regulatory expectations. You will maintain accurate purchasing files, supplier records, order confirmations, and supporting documentationYou may also support audits and internal reviews by providing accurate procurement information when requiredThe ideal candidate for the role of Buyer will have: Experience within a buyer, procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or materials planning role, ideally gained within a manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, or another regulated environmentConfidence using ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications is important, along with the ability to maintain accurate purchasing and supplier dataA sound understanding of core manufacturing and supply chain concepts would be beneficial, including Bills of Materials, lead times, inventory control, demand planning, production schedules, and supplier delivery performanceA professional and confident communicator, comfortable working with suppliers, colleagues, and stakeholders at all levelsStrong planning and organisational skills are essential, together with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environmentBe be analytical, detail-focused, commercially aware, and able to interpret purchasing data, supplier information, and stock requirements accuratelyHaving a proactive, adaptable, and team-oriented approach will help you succeed, particularly when responding to changing priorities and supporting operational performanceDesirable: Knowledge of aerospace, defence, or quality-controlled manufacturing environments would be an advantage, although relevant experience from other manufacturing settings will also be considered