At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Procurement team to manage supplier relationships and ensure timely material supply.
- Company: Well-established manufacturing business with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in procurement, with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on New Product Introduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting projects and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in purchasing, strong communication skills, and a proactive mindset.
We are looking for a proactive, organised and commercially minded Buyer to join our Procurement team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established manufacturing business, playing a key role in supporting production through effective supplier management and procurement activities.
Working closely with the Senior Buyer and cross-functional teams, you will be responsible for ensuring materials and components are sourced efficiently, delivered on time and meet the required quality and cost objectives. This role offers exposure to new product introduction (NPI), supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Key responsibilities:
- Raising, issuing and managing purchase orders to ensure the timely supply of materials and components.
- Monitoring supplier performance to ensure delivery, quality and cost targets are consistently achieved.
- Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with both new and existing suppliers.
- Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality and Engineering teams to support New Product Introduction (NPI) projects.
- Attending procurement, planning and cross-functional meetings at the Crawley manufacturing facility.
- Supporting the Senior Buyer with supplier negotiations, sourcing activities and contract discussions.
- Identifying opportunities to reduce purchasing costs and improve overall supply chain performance.
- Conducting supplier benchmarking and market research to ensure a competitive and resilient supply base.
- Managing supplier invoice queries and resolving purchasing discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Processing demand requests and ensuring purchasing activities align with production schedules.
- Maintaining accurate procurement records and ensuring documentation complies with ISO quality management standards.
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives across procurement processes.
- Applying Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles when evaluating suppliers and sourcing decisions.
- Working collaboratively with internal stakeholders to ensure procurement activities support operational and business objectives.
Required Experience:
- A minimum of three years' purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Previous experience managing supplier relationships and placing purchase orders for manufactured components.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or delivery.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
- A proactive approach with excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Good attention to detail and strong administrative accuracy.
- Experience using Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) or a similar ERP/MRP system.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
Desirable Experience:
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) projects.
- Knowledge of supplier performance management and KPI reporting.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- Understanding of Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement principles.
- CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS would be advantageous.
Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
Buyer in Redhill employer: Proactive Global
Proactive Global is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Crawley manufacturing facility where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Buyer, you will benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises employee growth through exposure to new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives, alongside competitive remuneration and a commitment to equality in the workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Redhill
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in Redhill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Proactive Global that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Proactive Global can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Proactive Global that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Proactive Global know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Proactive Global
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
