Operational Buyer

Manpower UK Ltd; Tyseley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower UK Ltd. is supporting a Birmingham-based electronics engineering and manufacturing business in hiring a Senior Buyer on a permanent contract. The role is hybrid—2 days at home, 3 days in the office—and focuses on end-to-end supplier management, negotiations and continuous improvement across UK operations.

You will handle supplier portfolios, run RFQs, audits and contract negotiation, while delivering cost reductions and budget visibility in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Comfortable managing both direct materials and indirect services with terms and conditions.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage a defined portfolio of suppliers and subcontractors, developing and delivering category strategies.
• Source new supply solutions and challenge existing suppliers to drive QCD improvements.
• Negotiate and maintain contract agreements in line with group purchasing terms and commercial T&Cs.
• Run RFQs, benchmark key suppliers and support UK projects and NPD to timelines.
• Conduct supplier audits, monitor performance and lead corrective actions.
• Provide accurate budgetary information and report cost movement and productivity savings.
• Support operational purchasing across UK manufacturing sites and minimise supply chain risk.
• Contribute to CSR, core values and Code of Ethics in purchasing activity.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

Stakeholder communication

Continuous improvement

Project management

Education

MCIPS (preferred)

Tools

Excel

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Senior Buyer

Permanent Contract

Birmingham

Hybrid - 2 days at home 3 days in the office

We are partnering with a leading electronic engineering and manufacturing business in Birmingham seeking an experienced Operational Buyer to join their UK purchasing team. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys end-to-end supplier management, negotiation and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.

The role

• Manage a defined portfolio of suppliers and subcontractors, developing and delivering clear category strategies.
• Source new supply solutions and challenge existing suppliers to drive improvements in quality, cost and delivery (QCD).
• Negotiate and maintain contract agreements in line with group purchasing terms and commercial T&Cs.
• Run RFQs, benchmark key suppliers and support major UK projects and NPD activity to strict timelines.
• Conduct supplier audits, monitor performance and lead corrective actions where required.
• Provide accurate, timely budgetary information and report cost movement and productivity savings.
• Support operational purchasing needs across all UK manufacturing sites, helping to minimise risk in the supply chain.
• Contribute to and uphold the company's CSR, core values and Code of Ethics in all purchasing activity.

About you

• Proven experience in a purchasing or buying role, within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Comfortable managing both direct materials and indirect services, with an understanding of commercial contract terms and conditions.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills, with an eye for detail and continuous improvement.
• Confident communicator, able to work closely with stakeholders across operations, engineering, quality and finance.
• Highly IT literate, with strong Excel skills and experience using ERP/MRP systems.
• Self-motivated, organised and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ideally MCIPS qualified or working towards and holding a valid UK driving licence.