Buyer

SF Recruitment; Northampton; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is looking for a Buyer in Northampton to manage procurement processes while ensuring high quality and cost-effective services. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to develop effective sourcing strategies. This role offers a competitive salary of up to £40,000 and operates in an office-based environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a material control or procurement role.
• Strong understanding of MRP and other material planning systems.
• Project management skills, including development and execution of timing plans.

Responsibilities

• Manage the procurement process for assigned categories.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies.
• Evaluate supplier performance and manage relationships.
• Lead monthly supplier performance meetings.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing with suppliers.
• Liaise with internal teams to meet customer requirements.

Skills

Strong negotiation skills

Excellent analytical abilities

Well-organised with strong communication skills

Effective interpersonal skills

Self-starter

Tools

Oracle-based management systems

Job description

Buyer

Location: North Northamptonshire, Office based.
Salary: Up to £40,000

Overview

The Procurement and Supply Chain Division at SF Recruitment are currently recruiting for a Buyer, to deliver a customer‑focused service while meeting all Health & Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale targets.

This role manages the procurement of goods and services essential to the organisation's operations, including the implementation of sourcing strategies, category/commodity benchmarking, negotiation of supplier agreements, and ensuring cost‑effective, timely, and high‑quality procurement.

The ideal candidate will bring a strategic mindset, strong supplier relationship management skills, and a solid understanding of supply‑chain dynamics. A proactive approach, commitment to continuous improvement, and a positive problem‑solving culture are essential.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the procurement process for assigned categories/commodities, materials, and services in alignment with organisational goals.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies to optimise cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Evaluate supplier performance and manage supplier relationships to ensure compliance with contracts and service level agreements.
• Lead monthly supplier performance meetings to drive continuous improvement.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the supply base.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers to secure best value.
• Lead supplier escalation meetings to resolve gaps in supply.
• Liaise with internal teams as required to ensure customer requirements are met.
• Maintain and update sales and customer records.
• Support engineering change and NPI projects as needed.
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Support ongoing improvements to procurement systems and processes.
• Mentor and support junior purchasing staff.
• Participate in problem‑solving activities to address process deviations.
• Undertake additional reasonable responsibilities as required.

Performance Measures

• Health & Safety: Near‑miss reporting
• Quality: Supplier PPM, Supplier Quality Rating
• Cost: Special Freight, Benchmarking Cost Savings, PPV, Contract Savings, Spend Under Management
• Delivery: Supplier OTD, Supplier OTIF, Lead Time Reduction, Delivery Quality
• People/HR: Development/Training Reds

Essential

• Extensive experience in a material control or procurement role
• Strong understanding of MRP and other material planning systems
• Project management skills, including development and execution of timing plans

Desirable

• Experience with Oracle‑based management systems (training can be provided)

Key Skills

• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent analytical abilities
• Well‑organised with strong communication skills
• Effective interpersonal skills, able to engage with stakeholders at all levels
• Self‑starter who can identify opportunities and drive strategic initiatives end‑to‑end

Personal Qualities & Behaviours

• Takes ownership of issue resolution
• Communicates effectively at all levels internally and externally
• Self‑motivated and results‑oriented
• Creative thinker with good analytical skills
• Strong team player with sound interpersonal skills