Buyer (New Position)

Vickerstock; Newtownabbey; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A rapidly-growing manufacturing business in Northern Ireland is seeking a Buyer to manage procurement activities and ensure supply chain resilience. The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years' experience in a relevant role, strong MRP/ERP skills, and the ability to analyse and optimise procurement processes. This full-time permanent position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the company's growth.

Qualifications

• Ideally 2 years' experience in buying role within manufacturing, engineering or construction.
• Strong MRP/ERP experience.
• Analytic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end procurement for assigned categories, including sourcing, negotiation, ordering, and expediting.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships to strengthen long-term supply chain resilience.
• Analyse forecasts to optimise stock levels and replenishment.
• Support the Head of Supply Chain on sourcing strategies, cost reduction, and contract management.
• Monitor supplier performance using KPIs on quality, cost, lead time, and service.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver business objectives.
• Mitigate supply risks through dual sourcing, buffers, and supplier development.
• Drive continuous improvement across procurement and supply chain functions, including supplier optimisation initiatives.

Skills

MRP/ERP experience

Analytic thinking

Problem-solving skills

Education

Related degree

CIPS qualification

Job description

Vickerstock are working in partnership with a rapidly-growing manufacturing business on the appointment of a Buyer on a full-time permanent basis. This is a newly created position in line with extraordinary growth over the last 12‑18 months which has seen the business double in size.

As the Buyer, you will have responsibility for procuring goods and services to ensure best value, supply continuity, and strategic alignment, while collaborating with stakeholders and suppliers to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets. We are ideally looking to speak to experienced Buyers with a strong background in manufacturing, engineering or construction.

In your new role:

• Manage end-to-end procurement for assigned categories, including sourcing, negotiation, ordering, and expediting.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships to strengthen long‑term supply chain resilience.
• Analyse forecasts to optimise stock levels and replenishment.
• Support the Head of Supply Chain on sourcing strategies, cost reduction, and contract management.
• Monitor supplier performance using KPIs on quality, cost, lead time, and service.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver business objectives.
• Mitigate supply risks through dual sourcing, buffers, and supplier development.
• Drive continuous improvement across procurement and supply chain functions, including supplier optimisation initiatives.

What you will need to succeed:

• Ideally 2 years' experience in buying role within manufacturing, engineering or construction.
• Strong MRP/ERP experience.
• Analytic thinker with strong problem‑solving skills.
• Related degree and/or CIPS qualification (advantageous).

For a confidential conversation on how Vickerstock can help support you with your next move, get in touch with our supply chain consultant Michael Irwin today!