External Operations Buyer Planner in London

The Opportunity QuidelOrtho unites the strengths of Quidel Corporation and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, creating a world-leading in vitro diagnostics company with award-winning expertise in immunoassay and molecular testing, clinical chemistry and transfusion medicine. We are more than 6,000 strong and do business in over 130 countries, providing answers with fast, accurate and consistent testing where and when they are needed most – home to hospital, lab to clinic. Our culture puts our team members first and prioritises actions that support happiness, inspiration and engagement. We strive to build meaningful connections with each other as we believe that employee happiness and business success are linked. Join us in our mission to transform the power of diagnostics into a healthier future for all.

We are recruiting for an External Operations Buyer/Planner to join our team based in Pencoed, UK. This role reports into our Senior Manager, Supply Chain Planning and Global External Operations.

Your new role: Our External Operations team operates at the heart of our supply chain—partnering closely with manufacturing sites, suppliers, regional planning teams, and cross‑functional stakeholders to ensure reliable product availability across the global network. We take pride in our culture: supportive, solution‑driven, fast‑moving, and genuinely team‑oriented. As an External Operations Buyer Planner, you’ll make a meaningful impact every day by driving material availability, managing supplier performance, supporting escalations, and helping us strengthen the resilience of our global network. You’ll be part of a group that values transparency, proactive communication, and continuous improvement—and where your voice truly matters.

What you’ll do:

• Supply Planning & Execution: Responsible for translating demand into executable global supply and production plans, balancing inventory targets, distribution needs, supplier lead times, and capacity constraints. Executes purchase orders, manages inbound finished goods flows, and coordinates returns or rejections as required.
• Supplier Management: Builds strong operational relationships with finished‑goods suppliers, gaining deep insight into their capabilities, capacities, and replenishment processes. Monitor supplier schedules, finished goods plans, safety stock levels, and BOM structures while governing performance and escalating constraints through S&OP channels.
• Operational Coordination: Works cross‑functionally with manufacturing, regional supply chain, warehouses, transportation, quality, finance, and external vendors to ensure seamless daily operations, from order placement to inbound tracking and issue resolution.
• Capacity & Risk Management: Develops mid‑ and long‑term RCCP to optimize capacity, reduce bottlenecks, and inform sourcing decisions. Identifies risks/opportunities across demand variability, capacity limits, and material constraints.
• Systems & Process Optimization: Maintains planning systems (e.g., SAP APO), sets planning parameters (lead times, safety stock, order cycles), and improves network efficiency through inventory optimization, obsolescence reduction, and S&OP process enhancements.
• Performance Metrics: Delivers on key supply chain KPIs such as inventory health, scrap reduction, OTIF, and LIFR.

What You’ll Need to Succeed: Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Business, Supply Chain, or Operations). Prior experience in Supply Chain Planning, including hands‑on work with SAP and strong Excel/data‑handling skills. Success in this role requires solid reporting and analytical capability, familiarity with inventory management (safety stock, DOS, reorder points, expiry), and experience with global planning processes such as RCCP and S&OP. You should be an effective communicator who collaborates well across teams, manages multiple priorities, and maintains strong attention to detail. The role also benefits from demonstrated ability to support complex projects with initiative, problem‑solving, and leadership when needed.

What we offer: Competitive Salary, Yearly Salary Reviews, Attractive Pension Scheme, Bonus Scheme, Life Assurance, Private Medical (If applicable), LinkedIn Learning, Cycle to Work Scheme, Free Onsite Gym, Subsidised Canteen, 25 days Holidays +1 QuidelOrthoDay +8.