THE OPPORTUNITY
SBD is looking for an experienced and commercially focused Strategic Buyer to develop and manage the sourcing of materials and components across the business.
This is a hands on role responsible for identifying global supply opportunities, developing supplier relationships and securing the best possible value without compromising SBD's high standards of product quality, durability and performance.
Working closely with Manufacturing, Quality and Design, the successful candidate will play an important role in strengthening supplier performance, managing supply risk, delivering procurement savings and supporting new product development from sampling through to production.
The roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management:
- Identify, evaluate and develop suppliers across global markets to support quality, cost and continuity of supply objectives.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships that encourage collaboration, flexibility and continuous improvement.
- Support the implementation and management of supplier Long Term Agreements (LTAs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Monitor supplier performance through scorecards covering quality, delivery, service and commercial performance.
Technical Product & Material Expertise
- Source and evaluate leather, fabrics, elastics, neoprene, webbings and other specialist materials used within technical apparel and strength equipment.
- Assess material performance against technical requirements including durability, tensile strength, shrinkage, colourfastness and pilling.
- Interpret technical packs, Bills of Materials (BOMs), specifications and construction details to ensure sourcing accuracy.
- Maintain knowledge of garment construction and manufacturing processes including dyeing, printing, embroidery and finishing techniques.
Commercial Management & Cost Optimisation
- Source materials and components at the best possible price without compromising product quality, durability, appearance or performance.
- Obtain and analyse quotations, challenge pricing and negotiate costs, MOQs, lead times and commercial terms within agreed parameters.
- Maintain accurate product and material costings to support target margins and commercial decisions.
- Present sourcing recommendations and commercial analysis to the Manufacturing Director to support decision making.
Supply Chain Planning & Risk Management
- Coordinate material procurement to support production schedules and ensure continuity of supply.
- Proactively manage supplier orders, chasing outstanding actions and obtaining timely confirmation and notification of deliveries.
- Monitor supplier capacity, lead times and logistics to proactively identify and mitigate supply risks.
- Balance MOQs, availability, production requirements and inventory holding costs to minimise shortages, excess stock and production disruption.
- Support inventory optimisation and the transition towards system based inventory management.
Quality & NPDI Support
- Work closely with Design, Manufacturing and Quality to support New Product Development & Introduction (NPDI) alongside ongoing product requirements.
- Support the assessment and onboarding of new suppliers during NPDI, considering capability, capacity, quality standards, technical requirements, cost and lead times.
- Coordinate pre-production sample activity with suppliers.
- Support material validation and testing to ensure products meet technical specifications and performance expectations.
- Ensure supplier, material and process changes are communicated, controlled and implemented effectively.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing quality issues, rejection rates and improving consistency.
THE SKILLS
We encourage you to apply if you are someone who can demonstrate the following:
- Proven experience in a Buyer, Strategic Buyer, Sourcing or Procurement role within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong commercial awareness, including experience negotiating pricing, MOQs, lead times and supplier terms.
- Proven ability to build effective supplier relationships while managing and improving supplier performance.
- Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes and supply chain requirements, ideally within apparel, textiles, technical textiles, sporting goods or similar.
- Ability to interpret technical specifications, BOMs, technical packs and other product documentation.
- Experience supporting NPDI/NPI and product sampling processes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence working with overseas suppliers.
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to assess cost, quality, supply and risk considerations.
- Highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities independently.
Desirable
- Experience managing and sourcing suppliers from the UK, Europe and globally.
- Knowledge of technical materials including Neoprene.
- Experience implementing or improving system based purchasing and inventory management.
- An interest in strength sports, health and fitness.
- Experience with make, buy and hybrid sourcing analysis.
THE COMPANY
SBD is a global sportswear brand, designing and manufacturing market-leading performance products for strength sports. Our team is proud to craft all our products in the United Kingdom, with the majority fully manufactured at our headquarters on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Rotherham. Our commitment to quality has seen our products become the standard among strength athletes in gyms across the world, including those competing in the Worlds Strongest Man and the IPF World Powerlifting Championships.
2022 Business of the Year for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business of the Year for the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce 2023 Winner Outstanding Contribution to Employee Health & Wellbeing for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce 2024 Manufacturer of the Year (under £25m) Made in Sheffield Awards 2024 Kings Award for Enterprise 2024 'Be Well at Work' Gold
THE BENEFITS
- New SBD Headquarters – Join us in our state-of-the-art building. A dynamic space designed for innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch – Enjoy a delicious selection of food served fresh daily so you can save time & money and focus on your best work
- Casual Dress Code – Allowing you to work comfortably and be yourself!
- Free Onsite Parking – Priority spaces go to those who car share too
- Performance Related Bonus – Directly linking the success of SBD to your earnings
- 33 Days’ Holiday including Bank Holidays – Providing flexibility for your personal life and well – deserved breaks
- Employee Assistance Programme – Your wellbeing matters to us, so our EAP provides a wealth of resources and professional support for any of life's challenges
- 40% Staff Discount – Letting you experience our quality firsthand for less
- Strength Sports Event Tickets – Help us to celebrate the power and dedication we admire across the disciplines, live!
- Employee Referral Scheme – Get rewarded handsomely through our generous employee referral scheme when you help us find more great talent
SALARY: £42,500 – £48,900 dependant on experience and qualifications
HOURS: 37.5 hours per week
LOCATION: Unit 2b Lanchester Way, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Waverley, S60 5FX
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