At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for healthcare manufacturing, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Dynamic healthcare organisation focused on transformation and growth.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and shape the future of procurement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in an evolving role with operational challenges.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and supplier management experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Are you ready to be part of a business driving real change? Join a growing healthcare organisation with a rich heritage and a portfolio of specialist subsidiaries across pharmaceuticals and supplements. The business is entering a pivotal phase of transformation, focused on strengthening its procurement and supply chain capability to support continued growth.
About the Role
- Buyer (Permanent)
- Hybrid working (3 days onsite)
This is a high-impact, hands-on role where you’ll play a key part in stabilising and strengthening procurement operations during a period of organisational evolution. You’ll be joining a function where structures are still developing, meaning success in this role will rely on your ability to:
- Quickly assess situations
- Make sound, pragmatic decisions
- Operate with both strategic awareness and operational delivery
This role will suit someone with the gravitas to lead from the front, while remaining close to the detail and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage procurement of raw materials and packaging components for pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturing
- Conduct supplier evaluations and manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness
- Work cross-functionally with production, planning, and quality teams to meet customer requirements
- Monitor and manage budgets, costs, and inventory levels to support operational efficiency
- Support the Head of Procurement in strategic sourcing and continuous improvement initiatives
- Play a hands-on role in ensuring continuity during the separation of procurement and supply chain responsibilities
- Contribute to the onboarding, coaching, and development of team members
- Ensure full compliance with MHRA and BRC standards
- Engage directly with customers and suppliers to resolve issues and align expectations
What Makes This Role Different
- A chance to step into a function that is evolving and requires shaping
- Opportunity to have real operational impact in the short term
- Work in an environment where leadership, adaptability, and hands-on delivery are equally valued
- Exposure to complex supply chain challenges, including organisational restructuring
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in a Buyer / Procurement role within pharma, food, FMCG, chemicals, or manufacturing
- Ideally experience working in an SME or less-structured environment
- Around 5+ years’ experience in buying/procurement
- MCIPS Level 4 (or working towards) – or equivalent experience
- Strong supplier management, negotiation, and evaluation skills
- Confidence to work in an evolving structure and bring clarity quickly
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build credibility across the business
Key Words: Buyer, Procurement, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Supplier Management, Supplier Audits, MCIPS, Pharma, FMCG, Food, Manufacturing, Production, Healthcare, Packaging, Raw Materials, Compliance, MHRA, BRC
Senior Lead Buyer in Warrington employer: RBW Consulting
Join a dynamic healthcare organisation that values innovation and collaboration, offering a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee development and a culture that encourages hands-on leadership, this role as Senior Lead Buyer provides the unique opportunity to shape procurement operations during a transformative phase, ensuring your contributions have a meaningful impact on the business and its mission to drive positive change in healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lead Buyer in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Senior Lead Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement processes. We want you to show off your strategic awareness and operational delivery skills. Tailor your examples to highlight how you can contribute to their evolving structure.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing supplier management and cost-effectiveness. We believe that confidence in these areas will set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals ready to make an impact in procurement and supply chain.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lead Buyer in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Lead Buyer. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially in healthcare or manufacturing, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like MCIPS.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this evolving role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships or improved procurement processes in the past.
Showcase Your Skills:In your application, emphasise your strong negotiation skills and ability to work cross-functionally. We want to see how you’ve made sound decisions in complex situations and how you can bring clarity to an evolving structure.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at RBW Consulting
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially in the healthcare manufacturing sector. Familiarise yourself with key terms like MCIPS, supplier management, and compliance standards such as MHRA and BRC. This will show that you're not just a candidate, but someone who understands the industry.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience in buying and procurement. Think about times when you successfully managed supplier relationships or navigated complex supply chain challenges. This will help demonstrate your hands-on approach and strategic awareness.
✨Be Ready to Adapt
Since the role involves working in an evolving structure, be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to change in previous positions. Share stories that illustrate your ability to make sound decisions quickly and operate effectively under pressure. This will resonate well with the interviewers looking for someone who can lead from the front.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your stakeholder engagement skills during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've built credibility across different teams in your previous roles. This is crucial for a position that requires cross-functional collaboration, so showing that you can communicate effectively will set you apart.
