Buyer

W Talent; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in the United Kingdom is looking for a Buyer to manage supplier relationships and procurement processes. The ideal candidate will possess strong negotiation skills and experience in supply chain management. This role offers a competitive salary and career development opportunities within a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Competitive salary and benefits package

Collaborative culture

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a procurement/buyer role, ideally in manufacturing or electronics.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build supplier partnerships.
• Ability to identify issues, propose solutions, and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase materials needed for the company's product lines.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers globally.
• Negotiate terms and pricing to achieve cost savings.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Supply chain knowledge

Commercial acumen

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in supply chain/procurement or relevant discipline

Tools

ERP/procurement systems

Job description

Position Overview

As a Buyer you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the supply chain delivers the right materials, components, and services at the right cost, quality, and time. You will collaborate with engineering, production, quality assurance, logistics, and external suppliers to support operational excellence. You will manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement in procurement.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and purchase materials, components, and services required for the company's product lines.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers globally.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers; perform supplier audits as required.
• Negotiate terms and pricing to achieve cost savings, quality, and delivery targets.
• Prepare procurement plans aligned with production schedules and inventory needs.
• Manage purchase orders, supplier lead-times, shipment tracking, supplier performance metrics, and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to ensure materials meet specifications and regulatory/compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, cost tracking, and reporting.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, risk mitigation, and cost optimisation.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, ethical sourcing, and sustainability initiatives.
• Work closely with logistics and warehouse to ensure timely delivery, correct handling, and minimal stock-outs or excess inventory.

Person Specification / Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a procurement/buyer role (ideally in manufacturing or electronics/marine/rugged environmental products).
• Understanding of supply chain, inventory management, lead-time planning, supplier evaluation.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build supplier partnerships.
• Good commercial acumen; ability to analyse cost, quality, delivery trade-offs.
• Familiarity with regulatory/compliance standards is a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work cross-functionally (engineering, production, quality).
• Proactive mindset: ability to identify issues, propose solutions, drive continuous improvement.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• ERP/procurement systems experience preferred.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in supply chain/procurement or relevant discipline preferred.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Career development and potential to take on greater responsibility as the business grows.
• Competitive salary, pension, and benefits package (specifics to be determined).
• Supportive team, collaborative culture, and a chance to make a measurable impact on business performance.