At a Glance
- Tasks: Source and negotiate goods to support exciting projects in a global company.
- Company: Leading expert in welding and coating services with a dynamic work culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to work on impactful projects.
- Why this job: Join a team that strengthens procurement and builds long-term supply chain resilience.
- Qualifications: GCSEs required; experience in buying and supplier management preferred.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with exposure to ERP transitions and project-based work.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our Client is a leading global expert in the provision of welding and coating services and operates in several jurisdictions around the world.
The Buyer is responsible for the sourcing, negotiation and commercial management of goods and services to support project delivery and operational requirements. The role has primary accountability for creating and managing purchase orders, ensuring all commitments are commercially aligned, accurately documented and placed in line with project timelines. The Buyer owns supplier relationships within allocated categories, negotiates pricing and payment terms, and manages supplier performance to protect delivery reliability and margin. Working closely with Project Delivery Managers, Engineering, Workshop, Commercial and Finance teams, the Buyer ensures procurement activity supports project schedules, financial controls and governance requirements. This role plays a key part in strengthening procurement, supporting ERP transition (SAP to IFS), and building long-term supply chain resilience.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and manage purchase orders in line with project and operational requirements.
- Review and convert MRP requisitions into accurate and commercially aligned purchase orders.
- Ensure purchase orders reflect agreed pricing, lead times, payment terms and contractual conditions prior to supplier commitment.
- Validate specifications, quantities and delivery requirements before order placement.
- Lead RFQs and competitive sourcing exercises.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and commercial conditions.
- Establish and maintain sustainable supplier credit arrangements aligned to company cash flow strategy.
- Manage commercial agreements within assigned categories.
- Own supplier relationships within allocated categories.
- Monitor delivery performance and commercial compliance.
- Conduct structured performance discussions where required.
- Identify and mitigate supply risk.
- Work collaboratively with Finance to support stable supplier trading relationships.
- Support restoration and maintenance of agreed payment terms.
- Resolve commercial disputes and pricing discrepancies.
- Align procurement activity with project and operational requirements.
- Ensure purchase orders reflect agreed commercial terms and accurate specifications.
- Communicate supply risks impacting cost or delivery.
Key Requirements
Skills & Experience
Job Specific Education Required: GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English
Desirable: CIPS qualified or working towards certification
Work Experience Required: Previous experience in a Buyer role within Manufacturing, Engineering, Energy or Construction environment. Demonstrated experience running RFQs and negotiating commercial terms. Experience managing supplier relationships and resolving commercial disputes. Experience negotiating and managing payment terms. Exposure to project-based manufacturing environments. Experience supporting ERP transitions or system improvement initiatives.
Skills & Knowledge Required: Strong commercial awareness and negotiation capability. Understanding of payment terms, cash flow impact, and supplier credit management. Ability to manage multiple sourcing activities within a project-driven environment. Proficient in SAP and Microsoft Office (Excel particularly). Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Confident communicator able to influence suppliers and internal stakeholders. Proactive risk identification and escalation capability. Engineering knowledge or technical understanding.
Buyer in Burnley employer: Simpson Booth Ltd
Contact Detail:
Simpson Booth Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Burnley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute as a Buyer.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate terms effectively. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in Burnley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When writing your application, focus on your previous roles in manufacturing or engineering. Share specific examples of RFQs you've led or commercial terms you've negotiated. This helps us see your fit for the role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to your achievements!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the Buyer position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Simpson Booth Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer, you'll be dealing with pricing and payment terms all the time. Brush up on your maths skills and be ready to discuss how you can negotiate better deals. Have some examples of past negotiations where you saved costs or improved terms.
✨Understand the Supply Chain
Familiarise yourself with the basics of supply chain management and how it impacts project delivery. Be prepared to talk about how you've managed supplier relationships in the past and how you can contribute to building long-term resilience in the supply chain.
✨Showcase Your ERP Experience
Since this role involves supporting an ERP transition, highlight any experience you have with systems like SAP or IFS. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools to improve procurement processes or manage purchase orders effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations, like resolving a commercial dispute or managing a supply risk. Think through your past experiences and prepare structured responses that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively with teams.