Buyer

(SLS) Scientific Laboratory Supplies Ltd.; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Hybrid working model

Employee Assistance Programme

Company NEST pension

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave

Small, friendly teams with staffevents

Company profit bonus schemes

Cycle2work scheme

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Scientific Laboratory Supplies Ltd. (SLS) seeks a proactive Buyer to join our busy Procurement Team in Nottingham.

You will manage supplier relationships and stock levels, negotiate pricing, and ensure timely, cost-effective procurement of scientific equipment and consumables. Reporting to the Inventory Manager, you will place orders, review acknowledgements, and coordinate with internal teams to guarantee delivery and invoicing.

Qualifications

• Experience in buying or procurement is essential.
• Experience in scientific/technical/distribution sectors preferred.
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and negotiate pricing.
• Experience with inventory management and procurement software is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Place purchase orders with suppliers for stock and direct delivery to customer sites.
• Review order acknowledgements for accuracy (codes, pack sizes, quantities, due dates).
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to ensure delivery and invoicing.
• Support Procurement Manager and participate in additional projects as required.

Skills

Strong commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication skills

Education

CIPS Level 4 or willingness to work towards

Tools

Inventory management systems

Procurement software

Freshdesk

Job description

Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) is the UK’s largest independent supplier of laboratory equipment, chemicals and consumables. We are seeking to recruit a proactive and commercially minded Buyer to join our busy Procurement Team. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing supplier relationships, optimising stock levels, and ensuring the timely and cost-effective procurement of scientific products and consumables.

About the role:

Reporting to the Inventory Manager and collaborating closely with the wider business you will be managing our suppliers and stock effectively, negotiating pricing and delivering an exceptional service to both internal and external customers that embraces our core values, drives sustainable business practice and delivers best value to the organisation and our partners.

In this fast-paced role you will be responsible for placing purchase orders with suppliers for stock in a timely and efficient manner for direct delivery to customer sites, ensuring due diligence and coordination with suppliers and internal teams to guarantee delivery and invoicing. Excellent attention to detail is required to review and verify order acknowledgements- checking product codes, pack sizes, quantities and due dates- and update systems as needed.

About You:

To be successful in this key role you will have proven experience in a buying or procurement role, ideally within scientific, technical, or distribution sectors. Strong commercial awareness and analytical skills plus good negotiation and communication abilities are essential as you will build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure reliability, competitive pricing, quality and timely delivery.

Experience with inventory management systems and procurement software and ticketing systems such as Freshdesk will be an advantage, but most important of all is the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment, managing orders, queries and stakeholder requirements concurrently and promptly.

Your proactive approach to problem-solving and positive attitude will ensure that you succeed within our business. You may also support additional projects as requested by the Procurement Manager.

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply CIPS qualified (Minimum Level 4) or the willingness to work towards and/or experience in Scientific or Medical Industry is useful but not essential.

SLS are the UK’s largest independent supplier of laboratory equipment, chemicals and consumables. Because of our independence, we have a unique approach to sourcing and supplying the highest quality, best value products and brands. Supplying to a wide range of sectors, provides a diverse and interesting customer base as well as providing countless opportunity to grow and expand.

With a Nottingham based Head Office, with customers all over the UK, we are a stable and growing company who have an excellent reputation in the market. We proudly supported the NHS and scientific community over the course of the Pandemic as well as supporting the education sector with vital supplies to be able to aid teaching for children affected by school closures.

We are passionate about our people and have developed a strong team dynamic who are welcoming and supportive of new individuals joining the company with a brilliant management team to support you as your find your feet in the role.

We are also proud to be a Living Wage Employer and committed to equal opportunities and actively promote a diverse and inclusive working environment, and fairness for everyone.

Alongside our commitment to your professional and personal development, we also offer a generous benefits package including:

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Hybrid working model – split between home and Nottingham based office
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Company NEST pension
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave
• Small, friendly, and sociable teams with staff events
• Company profit bonus schemes
• Tram2work and Cycle2work schemes
• Career opportunities for development and progression