Lead Strategic Senior Buyer

Stannah Group; Andover; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned engineering company in Andover is seeking a Lead Strategic Senior Buyer to manage supplier relationships and drive procurement transformation. This role involves strategic negotiation and supplier management, with a focus on optimizing costs and ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate has experience in procurement and manufacturing processes, and will work full-time on a permanent contract. Additional benefits include a profit share scheme and enhanced maternity provisions.

Benefits

Market Aligned Salary

Profit Share Bonus Scheme

25 days holiday

Pension Scheme

SimplyHealth Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Free parking

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement account management.
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills.
• Ability to work with UK and international suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Manage supplier relationships across 23 commodity areas.
• Negotiate and implement supplier contracts for cost-effectiveness.
• Support new product development with supplier involvement.

Skills

Procurement account management

Commercial negotiation

Supplier management

Manufacturing process knowledge

Education

MCIPS/ACIPS qualification

Job description

Jobs in Andover at Stannah Join Our Team!

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Strategic Senior Buyer to join our growing Procurement team at Stannah, based at our Andover site.

The role involves managing strategic supplier relationships, sourcing and direct materials to support international Stannah factories and identifying and implementing continuous improvement through compliance and procurement processes. You will be a vital link between suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring supplier performance, contract negotiations, cost control, and supply chain risk management are delivered effectively.

As the Lead Strategic Senior Buyer, you will work full‑time hours Monday to Thursday 08:00 to 16:45, Friday 08:00 to 13:00. This job is a permanent contract.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced procurement or supply chain professional to step into a fast‑paced role, managing up to £8 million spend across critical suppliers and commodities.

Ready to take ownership of a key role in our procurement transformation? As the senior member of the team, you’ll lead improvements across purchasing, driving efficiency, ensuring compliance, and delivering accurate reporting on direct material spend. Whilst not a line‑management role, you’ll play a crucial part in motivating the team day‑to‑day and supporting a culture of continuous improvement, cost control, and financial discipline.

You’ll help shape our future procurement strategy by supporting the implementation of a new ERP system in Procurement. You will also manage strategic supplier relationships where strong negotiation skills are essential, along with experience in supply chain and supplier management. Knowledge of commodity management and international manufacturing suppliers is desirable.

Lead Strategic Senior Buyer Responsibilities

• Manage supplier relationships across 23 commodity areas with ownership of key strategic suppliers
• Negotiate and implement supplier contracts to ensure cost‑effectiveness and long‑term value
• Lead supplier selection, RFQs, and benchmarking within the commodity market
• Support new product development with supplier involvement from prototype to production
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through design changes, sourcing, and supplier collaboration

Lead Strategic Senior Buyer Requirements

• Proven experience in procurement account management
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills
• Ability to work with UK and international suppliers
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes
• MCIPS/ACIPS qualified or willing to study towards the qualification

Benefits Include

• Market Aligned Salary, paid on a monthly basis
• Profit Share Bonus Scheme, paid to all employees every quarter. Based on Group Company profits
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Holiday scheme to buy extra days’ annual leave
• Pension Scheme. Matched contribution/salary sacrifice
• SimplyHealth Cash Plan. Allows you to claim towards health costs. For example, dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody treatments and more
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Long Service award scheme, with holiday benefit
• Company Benefits Discount Rewards Scheme. Includes shop discounts, hotel discounts, days out, and more
• Employee Assistance Programme. A workplace initiative to support and enhance well‑being
• Enhanced maternity and paternity provision
• Free parking
• Company Funded LinkedIn Learning Account

Company Information

Stannah is a family‑owned manufacturing and engineering company. Our products move people and goods in and around homes and buildings. We make life easier for people. We do this by improving access for greater convenience and independence.

Joseph Stannah founded the business in 1867. A lot has happened since then and today Stannah is a global business. The family is in their fifth generation and plays a hands‑on role in running the business. Most people know us for our stairlifts. Our range of products includes lifts, escalators, and homelifts. We also provide maintenance and repair services.

Stannah Group is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We treat all our job applicants fairly and with respect.

Our employees are the heart of our business. We take great care to create a working environment where everyone feels valued. Join our team and be a part of our diverse and inclusive community!

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive high numbers of applications for the role.

Appropriate right to work must be held by applicants. Sponsorship is not available.