Engineering Strategic Buyer

Mane Contract Services; West of England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Mane Contract Services is seeking an experienced Engineering Strategic Buyer to lead sourcing of engineering materials, components and services. You will collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Supply Chain to translate technical needs into effective sourcing strategies and build strong supplier relationships.

You will help ensure quality, cost and delivery performance to support current operations and future growth within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic procurement, sourcing or buying within an engineering, manufacturing or technical environment.
• Strong understanding of engineering components, materials, manufacturing processes and technical specifications.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing commercial agreements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
• Experience working collaboratively with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Operations teams.
• Knowledge of supplier qualification, audits and performance improvement.
• Familiarity with ERP and procurement systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies for engineering materials, components and services.
• Assess supplier capacity, capability and resources against growth plans.
• Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional support for supplier development and resolve barriers to performance.
• Work closely with Buyers to align day-to-day purchasing with long-term objectives.
• Support dual sourcing and resilience by evaluating alternative suppliers and routes.
• Lead supplier transitions and supply chain improvement projects.
• Strengthen supplier performance management through KPI tracking and governance.
• Maintain supplier performance data and provide analysis to support purchasing decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier delivery, quality, and cost performance.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Engineering components

Materials knowledge

Manufacturing processes

Technical specifications

Supplier negotiation

Engineering drawings

Technical documentation

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

ERP systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Engineering Strategic Buyer to lead the sourcing and procurement of engineering materials, components and services.

Working closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams, you will translate technical requirements into effective sourcing strategies, build strong supplier relationships and negotiate commercial agreements.

You will help secure the quality, cost and delivery performance needed to support current operations and future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies for engineering materials, components and services.
• Assess supplier capacity, capability and resources against the business’s medium and long-term growth plans.
• Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation plans to ensure suppliers can meet future demand.
• Coordinate cross-functional support for supplier development and resolve barriers to performance.
• Work closely with Buyers to align day-to-day purchasing activity with long-term supply chain objectives.
• Support dual sourcing and supply chain resilience by evaluating alternative suppliers and supply routes, reducing reliance on single sources.
• Lead and support supplier transitions, sourcing changes and supply chain improvement projects.
• Strengthen supplier performance management through KPI tracking, scorecards, action plans and governance processes.
• Maintain accurate supplier performance data and provide analysis and reporting to support purchasing decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness and cost performance.

Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in strategic procurement, sourcing or buying within an engineering, manufacturing or technical environment.
• Strong understanding of engineering components, materials, manufacturing processes and technical specifications.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing commercial agreements.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
• Experience working collaboratively with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Operations teams.
• Knowledge of supplier qualification, audits and performance improvement.
• Familiarity with ERP and procurement systems.