At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier performance and negotiate contracts to improve procurement efficiency.
- Company: Fast-paced engineering firm focused on strategic procurement.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid working, and impactful contract role.
- Other info: Opportunity for immediate impact in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in supplier management and drive performance improvements.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or supply chain, strong negotiation skills required.
Location: Colchester
Rate: £30 to £40 per hour
Employment Type: Contract
Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working (3 on site, 2 from home)
Contract Length: 2–3 months (initial contract)
Are you an experienced Buyer or Procurement professional with strong supplier management, negotiation skills, and a background in electronic components or technical manufacturing? This role has an indicative outside IR35 determination, meaning we can accept candidates who wish to operate through their own Personal Service Company (PSC).
This contract role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact by improving supplier performance, reducing lead-times, and supporting strategic procurement activity.
Role Responsibilities – Contract Strategic Buyer
- Manage supplier performance, ensuring on-time delivery and accurate purchase order tracking.
- Run RFQs and negotiate pricing, MOQs, payment terms, and batch cost improvements.
- Support cost-saving initiatives and rebate schemes aligned with procurement KPIs.
- Reduce lead-times through strategic sourcing, consignment stock, and safety-stock agreements.
- Work with Engineering to manage component obsolescence, secure last-time buys, and identify alternative parts.
- Assess supplier capability, capacity, and financial stability to mitigate supply chain risk.
- Maintain procurement documentation including NDAs, due diligence, and supplier records.
- Contribute to procurement strategy and multi-sourcing plans for critical components.
Skills and Experience Required – Contract Strategic Buyer
- Proven experience in procurement, buying, or supply chain within electronics, engineering, or manufacturing.
- Strong negotiation skills across pricing, contracts, and lead-time agreements.
- Confident managing suppliers, resolving issues, and driving performance improvements.
- Experience supporting obsolescence management or last-time buys is highly beneficial.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- CIPS qualification is beneficial but not essential.
This is an excellent opportunity to deliver meaningful commercial and operational impact within a fast-paced engineering environment. If you’re a proactive, strategic procurement professional ready to support a high-performance technology business, this contract role is a great fit.
This role requires the successful candidate to pass BPSS screening and meet the eligibility criteria for Security Check (SC) clearance.
For more information, please contact Cathy Swain.
Locations
Contract Strategic Buyer in Essex, Fordham employer: Verso Recruitment Group
Verso Recruitment Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Weymouth, Dorset. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities while working on cutting-edge technology in a supportive environment, making it a rewarding place for skilled Software Engineers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Strategic Buyer in Essex, Fordham
✨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 Contract Strategic Buyer in Essex, Fordham
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 Verso Recruitment Group 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, Verso Recruitment Group 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 Verso Recruitment Group 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 Verso Recruitment Group 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 Verso Recruitment Group
✨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.
