Buyer

SF Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is looking for an experienced Buyer - Manufacturing to strengthen their Purchasing team in the United Kingdom. The ideal candidate will manage procurement activities effectively while fostering positive team culture. Responsibilities include overseeing the purchasing cycle, maintaining supplier relationships, and ensuring accurate stock management. Candidates must demonstrate negotiation skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving. This role is essential for ensuring smooth production and operational activity.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a purchasing or buying capacity, ideally gained within manufacturing or engineering.
• Strong negotiation abilities and a sound commercial mindset.
• Skilled in building rapport and maintaining productive relationships with both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Confident communicator who can represent the Purchasing team effectively across the organisation.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive, results-focused approach to problem solving.
• Good understanding of cost drivers, pricing structures, and financial considerations.
• Capable of managing multiple demands and maintaining structure in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented, positive attitude with a willingness to support colleagues and share knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full purchasing cycle from initial supplier enquiries to order placement and delivery.
• Raise, monitor, and maintain Purchase Orders within SAP or equivalent MRP platforms.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers.
• Review supplier performance to ensure reliable supply chains.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs or improve overall value.
• Collaborate daily with production, planning, and operational teams to support material availability.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Negotiation skills

Relationship building

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Understanding of cost drivers

Team-oriented

Job description

Buyer - Manufacturing

We are seeking an experienced Buyer to strengthen our Purchasing team and work alongside the existing Buyer in a collaborative, non-hierarchical partnership. This position plays a key role in securing materials and components at the right cost, quality, and lead time, ensuring the smooth running of production and operational activity. The ideal candidate will be proactive, commercially astute, and confident managing procurement activities independently, while contributing positively to team culture and continuous improvement within the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the full purchasing cycle, from initial supplier enquiries through to order placement and delivery.
• Raise, monitor, and maintain Purchase Orders within SAP or equivalent MRP platforms.
• Keep Item Master data accurate and up to date to support effective planning and stock control.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers, acting as a consistent and professional point of contact.
• Review supplier performance and resilience to ensure reliable supply chains.
• Work with suppliers to improve OTD and OTIF results.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs or improve overall value.
• Handle non-conformance issues, ensuring corrective actions are followed through.
• Assist with onboarding new suppliers and ensuring correct setup within the MRP system.
• Collaborate daily with production, planning, and operational teams to support material availability.
• Manage stock levels responsibly, considering business requirements and cash-flow impacts.
• Expedite outstanding orders to maintain continuity of supply.
• Attend internal tier meetings and provide clear purchasing updates.
• Take responsibility for incoming purchasing enquiries, ensuring timely follow-up.
• Contribute ideas and take part in ongoing improvement initiatives within the Purchasing function.

Skillset Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in a purchasing or buying capacity, ideally gained within manufacturing or engineering.
• Strong negotiation abilities and a sound commercial mindset.
• Skilled in building rapport and maintaining productive relationships with both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Confident communicator who can represent the Purchasing team effectively across the organisation.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proactive, results-focused approach to problem solving.
• Good understanding of cost drivers, pricing structures, and financial considerations.
• Capable of managing multiple demands and maintaining structure in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented, positive attitude with a willingness to support colleagues and share knowledge.