Buyer

Workforce Recruitment and Training; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Buyer in Barnstaple for a full-time, permanent position. You will oversee the tube, conflow, and industrial product ranges, ensuring strong commercial awareness and supplier management. Key responsibilities include managing inventory levels, raising purchase orders, and building supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will have experience with ERP/MRP systems, a strong understanding of inventory optimisation, and a Business Degree. This role offers a chance to make a significant commercial impact in a well-established business.

Qualifications

• Proven experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing and inventory.
• Strong understanding of PFEP and inventory optimisation techniques.
• Confident expediting orders and ensuring accuracy of supplier acknowledgements.

Responsibilities

• Raise purchase orders aligned to demand forecasts.
• Manage inventory levels through accurate forecasting.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.

Skills

Using ERP/MRP systems

PFEP and inventory optimisation techniques

Managing supplier relationships

Strong Excel skills

Effective problem-solving skills

Commercial awareness

Education

Business Degree or equivalent practical experience

CIPS qualification or currently working towards CIPS

Job description

Buyer Location: Barnstaple EX31 Type: Full-time, permanent

We are recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Buyer to join their team in Barnstaple. This is a commercially focused role combining traditional buying responsibilities with data-driven decision-making and strong stakeholder engagement.

You will take ownership of the tube, conflow, and industrial product ranges, a high-revenue area of the business, making commercial awareness and supplier performance management key to success.

Key Responsibilities

• Raise purchase orders aligned to demand forecasts, agreed stock levels, and order quantities using lean Plan for Every Part (PFEP) techniques
• Manage inventory levels through accurate forecasting and timely ordering
• Maintain purchase order confirmations and vendor promise dates to ensure sales orders meet agreed delivery commitments
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, negotiating optimal pricing and commercial terms
• Review customer order books and expedite supplier purchase orders to ensure on-time shipment of sales orders
• Proactively manage supplier expediting and communicate risks or delays to internal stakeholders
• Drive continuous improvement across purchasing, inventory, and supplier performance

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing and inventory
• Strong understanding of PFEP and inventory optimisation techniques
• Experience managing supplier relationships and internal stakeholders
• Confident expediting orders and ensuring accuracy of supplier acknowledgements
• Strong Excel skills, with the ability to analyse data and identify supplier performance improvement opportunities
• Effective problem-solving skills and commercial awareness
• Business Degree or equivalent practical experience
• CIPS qualification or currently working towards CIPS

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established business where you can make a real commercial impact within a high-value product area.