Senior Buyer

Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering business is seeking a Senior Buyer to enhance their procurement function. This role involves managing sourcing, negotiations, and supplier relationships to ensure quality and efficiency in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement within manufacturing, excellent negotiation skills, and a strategic mindset.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Hands-on buyer with proven ability to manage procurement activities.
• Understanding of technical engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of materials both locally and internationally.
• Negotiate pricing and contracts to drive cost efficiency.
• Contribute to process improvement in procurement activities.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier Management

Organisational Skills

Analytical Thinking

Problem Solving

Tools

MRP Systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Buyer - Driving Procurement Excellence in a Growing Engineering Business

Herefordshire, on-site, permanent

Salary between GBP40,000 - GBP50,000, plus competitive benefits package

Specialist engineering, manufacturing, and assembly

No Visa sponsorship available for overseas candidates

As this business continues to grow, they are strengthening their procurement capability and are on the lookout for an experienced, proactive Senior Buyer to take ownership of our purchasing function.

Based within a well-established, privately owned manufacturing and engineering business, you'll play a pivotal role in sourcing materials and services that meet the evolving demands of the operations. This is a hands-on role where strategic thinking meets practical execution-ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment.

What You'll Be Doing:

Procurement Management

• Lead the sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of materials and components both in the UK and internationally (including key markets such as China).
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and management teams to obtain competitive quotes for materials and subcontracted services.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery and consistent quality.
• Working with engineering teams on NPD and NPI
• Monitor market trends to identify risks, spot opportunities, and drive long-term procurement strategies.
• Add tangible value to the business by continuously improving purchasing performance.

Cost Management

• Negotiate favourable pricing, terms, and contracts to drive cost efficiency.
• Carry out regular cost analysis and identify opportunities for savings without compromising quality.
• Supplier Management-select suppliers based on reliability, quality, and value.
• Conduct supplier reviews and performance evaluations to ensure ongoing compliance and excellence.

Process Improvement

• Contribute to the refinement of procurement processes and procedures to boost efficiency and accuracy.
• Use MRP systems to manage purchasing activities and streamline operations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with production, technical, quality, and finance teams to align purchasing strategies with broader business goals.
• Support new product development projects by sourcing and qualifying materials and suppliers.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure all procurement activities are aligned with internal policies and external regulations.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of purchases, contracts, and supplier communications.
• Mitigation of supply chain risks, EU and US Tariffs

What We're Looking For:

• Procurement experience, within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• A hands-on buyer with a proven ability to manage procurement activities in a dynamic, growing business.
• Understanding of technical engineering drawings
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management capabilities.
• Proficiency with MRP systems and Microsoft Office.
• A strategic, analytical thinker with a keen eye for detail and a strong sense of commercial awareness.
• A proactive problem-solver who can make informed decisions independently.

Reporting to the Managing Director, this is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of our supply chain function. If you're ready to make a real impact in a supportive and ambitious business, we'd love to hear from you.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.