Buyer

Solent Group; Christchurch; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading product innovation company in the UK is seeking an experienced Buying Manager to oversee buying projects from concept through to launch. The ideal candidate will manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success. The role offers competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and various benefits to support employee well-being.

Benefits

Competitive salary with annual reviews

25 days holiday per annum

Flexible hours and work from home

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave

Pension Scheme Contribution

Free parking on Christchurch Quay

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in sourcing, product development, and project management.
• Ability to understand product development and manufacturing requirements.
• Well-planned and organised.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage buying projects from concept to launch.
• Build strong relationships with product, operations, and factory teams.
• Evaluate product costs and make informed purchasing decisions.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Strong negotiation skills

Project management

Good communication skills

Education

University or high Diploma

Job description

Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis - we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.

Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.

Report to: Senior Buying Manager

Location: Hybrid (min 1 day in office)

Travel: UK and EU

Purpose of the role

The purpose of this role is to oversee and manage buying projects from initial concept through to successful launch. This includes pricing negotiation, critical path control, quality control, and production innovation to ensure successful product launches. A key part of this role is building manufacturing expertise and relationship management, to ensure efficient communication and coordination with the factories, customers, and internal cross-functional team.

Key Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships internally with : Product, operations, Commercial and technical. As well as our global UK / SA / China / Vietnam teams
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all factories and customers
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to guarantee the timely delivery and the completion of projects by monitoring daily operations and risk assessments
• Execute the team's cost-saving schemes and supplier strategy
• Evaluate product costs, trends, and suppliers to make informed purchasing decisions that are aligned with the company's budget and profitability objectives
• Explore innovations and market trends to support the commercial team
• Regular factory meetings and quarterly factory visits for maintaining supplier relationships and collecting the factory update
• Evaluate supplier performance to ensure quality and reliability.
• Research of commodity and monitor industry trends to meet business needs
• Presentation about the innovation, commodity, market research
• Sampling parcel arrangements

About you

• University or high Diploma graduate
• Minimum 2 years of experience in sourcing, product development and project management experience
• Ability to understand product development and manufacturing requirements
• Good supplier relationship management and basic knowledge of manufacturing processing
• Strong negotiation and costing skills
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Well-planned & organised
• Passionate and willing to learn

What we offer

• Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
• 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Extensive benefits program including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
• Flexible hours and work from home available to all staff
• Great learning and development and progression opportunities Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Generous Company Sick Pay
• Pension Scheme Contribution
• Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Dress down Fridays
• Free parking on Christchurch Quay