Indirect Buyer

Indirect Buyer

Full-Time 50000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Negotiate supplier deals and manage supply strategies across multiple automotive plants.
  • Company: Join a leading global automotive manufacturing operation with a dynamic work culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, flexible hours, and electric car scheme.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in indirect buying within manufacturing; strong communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Other info: Genuine progression opportunities and a supportive, independent work environment.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.

Overview

Indirect Buyer - Automotive Manufacturing. Midlands (multi-site responsibility across three plants). £50,000 - £55,000 DOE + excellent benefits.

Most buying jobs are predictable. This one isn’t. One day you’re negotiating a supplier on forklift tyres, the next you’re locking in a multi-million-pound site-services deal across multiple plants. It’s fast, it’s varied, it’s challenging, but nobody breathes down your neck, and you’re treated like an adult.

Day-to-day You’ll:

  • Own the entire supply strategy for maintenance, repair, services and consumables.
  • Deliver (and beat) serious savings targets that hit the bottom line.
  • Benchmark, run RFQs, negotiate contracts like a pro.
  • Chase down non-conformities and make sure they stay fixed.
  • Keep the plants, engineering and finance all pointing the same direction.
  • Identify market opportunities to satisfy the plants requirements.
  • Improve and implement the cost reduction programs through price reductions / optimisations.

You’ll Thrive Here If You Have:

  • Real indirect/MRO/plant buying experience inside manufacturing (advantageous if this has come from within Automotive).
  • CIPS is advantageous; proven results are essential.
  • A track record of real savings and juggling multiple projects without dropping any.
  • Strong communication - you’ll talk to people on the shop floor and ops directors in the same hour across differing departments, so you’ll utilise your strong relationship building skills.
  • The drive to work independently but the sense to escalate when it matters.

You’ll Fit If You’re:

  • Proactive, results driven and enjoy building meaningful relationships.
  • Brilliant at prioritising the 3 things that matter out of 20 on your plate.
  • Comfortable pushing back (politely but firmly) when needed.
  • Ambitious - you want the next step (senior MRO, category lead, logistics, development - it’s all possible here).

About The Organisation

A large, high volume automotive manufacturing operation that forms part of a global tier one group. The site operates in a fast paced, quality critical environment where equipment uptime, supplier performance and cost control directly impact production and customer delivery. This role offers the chance to work within a globally connected manufacturing business while having real ownership and visibility at site level. You will gain exposure to best practice processes, complex operations and a role that genuinely impacts performance.

The Benefits Package:

  • £50k base (up to £55k if you’re exceptional).
  • 10% employer pension contribution.
  • Electric car scheme via salary sacrifice.
  • Cycle-to-work scheme.
  • Discounted gym membership.
  • Option to buy/sell holiday.
  • Flexible start & finish times every day.
  • 1 day a week work-from-home.
  • Genuine progression - promotion from within and there’s clear headroom.

If you get a buzz from turning supplier chaos into hard cash savings and being trusted to just get on with it, send your CV and we’ll talk further.

Indirect Buyer employer: Takake

Join a leading automotive manufacturing operation in the Midlands, where your role as an Indirect Buyer will be both dynamic and impactful. With a culture that values independence and results, you'll enjoy excellent benefits including a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and genuine opportunities for career progression. This is a place where your contributions directly influence performance, and you can thrive in a supportive environment that encourages meaningful relationships across all levels of the organisation.
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Contact Detail:

Takake Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Indirect Buyer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at 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 culture. Understand their supply strategy and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves a lot of supplier negotiations, being able to demonstrate your prowess in this area during interviews can really set you apart from the competition.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

We think you need these skills to ace Indirect Buyer

Indirect/MRO/Plant Buying Experience
Negotiation Skills
Cost Reduction Strategies
Supplier Relationship Management
CIPS Certification (advantageous)
Project Management
Communication Skills
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Market Opportunity Identification
Prioritisation Skills
Proactive Attitude
Results Driven
Independent Working

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Indirect Buyer. Highlight your experience in indirect purchasing, especially in manufacturing or automotive, and showcase any impressive savings you've achieved.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects where you’ve negotiated contracts or improved cost efficiencies, and don’t forget to show off your relationship-building skills.

Showcase Your Results: We love numbers! When detailing your past experiences, include quantifiable results. Whether it's percentage savings or successful project completions, make sure we see the impact you've made in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Takake

✨Know Your Numbers

Before the interview, brush up on your past savings achievements and be ready to discuss specific figures. This role is all about delivering results, so having concrete examples of how you've saved costs or improved processes will really impress.

✨Understand the Industry

Familiarise yourself with the automotive manufacturing sector, especially around MRO and indirect buying. Knowing the latest trends and challenges in the industry will show that you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Prepare to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively across different levels of an organisation. Think of examples where you've successfully built relationships with both shop floor staff and senior management, as this role requires strong interpersonal skills.

✨Be Ready to Prioritise

Think about how you manage multiple projects and prioritise tasks. Be prepared to discuss a time when you had to juggle competing demands and how you decided what to focus on. This will highlight your organisational skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

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