Operational Buyer

SF Partners; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

SF Partners in Birmingham is seeking a Buyer to negotiate contract terms, source suppliers, and drive category strategies across multiple UK manufacturing sites. You will work with internal stakeholders to minimise risk, deliver cost improvements, and support major projects with timely purchasing input.

Candidates should have procurement experience in electronics/manufacturing, MCIPS preferred, and strong Excel skills.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a fast-paced electronics engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing indirect services and direct materials.
• Good understanding of commercial contract terms and conditions.
• Thorough knowledge of procurement best practices.
• Experience or knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, with strong spreadsheet skills.
• Self-motivated with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across teams.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of market factors that influence supplier negotiations.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate contract agreements with preferred suppliers and subcontractors.
• Source and manage a panel of supply partners and monitor performance.
• Lead projects and implement category strategies across purchasing families.
• Provide operational purchasing support and drive continuous improvement with suppliers.
• Deliver year-on-year cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Support major projects and NPD with timely purchasing input.
• Benchmark suppliers through RFQ processes and conduct supplier audits.
• Adhere to procurement procedures and manage supplier relationships across sites.

Skills

Procurement

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

Cost reduction

Category management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Driving licence

Education

MCIPS

Tools

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Buyer Birmingham Main Purpose of the Job

Negotiate contract agreements in accordance with agreed terms and conditions. Source, manage, and monitor a panel of preferred supply partners. Working in collaboration with internal stakeholders, provide operational purchasing support and implement category strategies across purchasing families. Lead projects and processes in line with established procurement procedures, minimise supply chain risk, and drive continuous improvement with suppliers and subcontractors to enhance quality, cost, and delivery performance.

Key Duties

• Manage a portfolio of supplier and subcontractor spend and develop category strategies.
• Source new supply solutions and challenge existing suppliers to identify continuous supply chain improvements across quality, cost, and delivery (QCD).
• Negotiate and maintain commercial contract agreements with key suppliers and subcontractors.
• Benchmark suppliers and subcontractors through the RFQ process.
• Conduct supplier audits and monitor supplier performance.
• Lead commercial negotiations on pricing, contracts, and service agreements.
• Deliver year-on-year cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Provide purchasing support for major projects and new product development (NPD) to meet demanding deadlines.
• Support operational purchasing requirements across multiple UK manufacturing sites.
• Implement and administer productivity savings to achieve departmental objectives.
• Provide accurate and timely budgetary information, reporting cost movement and variation as required.
• Adhere to organisational values, ethical standards, and corporate social responsibility commitments.

Job Competencies / Key Skills

• Experience working in a fast-paced electronics engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing indirect services and direct materials.
• Good understanding of commercial contract terms and conditions.
• Thorough knowledge of procurement best practices.
• Experience or knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, with strong spreadsheet skills.
• Self-motivated with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across teams.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of market factors that influence supplier negotiations.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ideally qualified to MCIPS level.
• Proven ability to manage supplier relationships and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience supporting sourcing activities, including RFQs, bid analysis, and supplier selection.
• Ability to negotiate contract terms while ensuring compliance and effective risk management.

Desirable

• Advanced analytical skills using Excel and other software applications.

Hours of Work

37.5 hours per week, based on the following standard working pattern:

• Monday to Thursday: 8:00am 4:30pm
• Friday: 8:00am 1:30pm