Buyer

Prime Appointments Ltd; Newmarket; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Prime Appointments Ltd seeks an experienced Buyer to manage end-to-end procurement for materials, components, major work packages, and services. You will execute daily purchasing activities, implement commodity strategies, and drive year-on-year cost savings while ensuring delivery reliability.

Key responsibilities include overseeing procurement operations, supplier performance, and strategic negotiations, with a focus on continuous improvement and strong cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience within a supply chain environment.
• CIPS Level 4 or Level 5 qualification, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills; supplier relationship management.
• Excellent communication abilities.
• Highly analytical with problem-solving and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Procurement Operations: handle day-to-day procurement, issue POs, and manage MRP output to align component deliveries with production schedules.
• Supplier Management: monitor, evaluate, and report on vendor performance, managing end-to-end supplier relationships for reliability and quality.
• Commercial Negotiation: negotiate price changes and arrangements, researching and developing new or alternative sources of supply.
• Support & Expediting: partner with production planners to expedite priority orders, source engineering parts, and handle non-conforming materials.
• Continuous Improvement: identify opportunities for cost savings across procurement through strategic sourcing and process improvements.

Skills

Procurement

Vendor management

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Education

CIPS Level 4/5

Tools

MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location

Newmarket, Suffolk

Position Type

Permanent, Full-time

Salary

£35 000 to £45 000 depending on experience

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Buyer to manage the end-to-end procurement of materials, components, major work packages, and services for our business. In this role, you will execute daily purchasing activities, implement effective commodity strategies, and manage supplier relationships to drive quality, reliability, and year-on-year cost savings.

Key Responsibilities

• Procurement Operations: Handle day-to-day procurement, issue purchase orders based on requisitions and shortage lists, and manage MRP output to align component deliveries with production schedules.
• Supplier Management: Continually monitor, evaluate, and report on vendor performance; manage end-to-end supplier relationships to ensure maximum delivery reliability and quality.
• Commercial Negotiation: Negotiate price changes and special arrangements with vendors while researching and developing new or alternative sources of supply.
• Support & Expediting: Partner with production planners to expedite priority orders, source engineering parts, and handle non-conforming materials to ensure rapid replenishment.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and highlight opportunities for cost savings across the procurement function through strategic sourcing and process improvements.

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience within a supply chain environment. Previous buying experience within a manufacturing or engineering setting is highly desirable.
• Qualifications: CIPS Level 4 or Level 5, or equivalent hands-on experience in a supply chain or related field.
• Systems: Proven experience working with MRP systems and high proficiency in Microsoft Office software.
• Key Skills: Strong negotiation and influencing skills, a background in supplier relationship management, and excellent communication abilities.
• Attributes: Highly analytical with robust problem-solving and time-management skills; capable of working under financial and time-sensitive constraints.

Core Competencies

• Strategic sourcing and contract management
• MRP proficiency and business operations
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Supplier relationship management
• Resilience to change and collaborative teamwork