Scrap & Subcontract Buyer

Adept Resourcing; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in South Yorkshire is seeking a Subcontract Buyer to manage outsourced production processes. This role involves overseeing the entire procurement cycle, including supplier prequalification and contract management. Successful candidates will need a proven background in purchasing, excellent negotiation skills, and a strong understanding of compliance and procurement best practices. This position is suited for driven, organized individuals with significant supplier management experience in regulated environments.

Qualifications

• Over 5 years of experience in purchasing or supplier management in regulated environments.
• Strong competency in conducting supplier audits.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end procurement cycle for outsourced production.
• Drive budget compliance and implement effective procurement strategies.
• Conduct supplier visits and audits to ensure compliance.

Skills

Negotiation skills focused on total cost and compliance

Supplier relationship management

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Organizational skills

Education

CIPS Qualification or willingness to work towards

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Our manufacturing client is recruiting for a new member of their Procurement team who would thrive in a high performance fast paced environment. The Subcontract Buyer will work within a developing and forward‑thinking Procurement team.

Primary function of the role will be to garner full responsibility for managing outsourced production processes. The successful candidate will lead the end‑to‑end Procurement cycle for this scope of service: supplier prequalification, onboarding, tendering & award through to continued contract, compliance and Supplier relationship management. The role will work closely with Production and Quality teams to drive efficiencies in WIP turnaround, "right first time" delivery and compliance with stringent QMS systems. While maintaining best Procurement practice, influencing outcomes and generating improvements to procurement policy & procedure.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Implementing improved process, driving conformance, instilling a "best in class" mindset for procurement practice & policy.
• Stakeholder Management – Engage with Stakeholders, drive budget compliance and convert insights into actionable change in the supply chain to deliver tangible savings.
• Contract management – Direct responsibility for the management of subcontract commercials. Responsibility for supplier conformance to contract, managing KPI's.
• Supplier Relationship Management – Build and develop deep supplier relationships to minimise supply chain risk and drive value add through performance.
• Support the Finance team on departmental forecasts, spend metrics, cashflow forecasts and provide procurement actions to inform and support best outcomes.
• Carry out supplier visits/audits to ensure they are meeting the companies ongoing compliance requirements.
• Work with the Quality team to maintain approved supplier databases.
• Where applicable, working with intra-group entities on business synergy opportunities and initiatives.

Essential Requirements

• Driven, self motivated, highly organised; with a logical and ethical approach to problem solving.
• Proven background in purchasing or supplier management (>5 years) ideally within aerospace, precision engineering, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Advanced knowledge on Microsoft packages including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Solid negotiation skills focused on total cost, lead-time stability, and contract compliance – not just price.
• Strong awareness of traceability, material certs, and documentation requirements.
• Experience conducting supplier audits or participating in them.
• Ability to identify risks in a process chain and drive corrective actions with suppliers.
• Full driving license.

Desirable Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• CIPS Qualification / willingness to work towards.
• Hands‑on experience managing subcontract manufacturers delivering special processes (e.g., grinding, forging, heat treatment, NDT, mechanical testing).
• Solid understanding of AS9100/AS9110 requirements and how they affect supplier approval, control, and surveillance.
• Working knowledge of NADCAP‑related special process compliance.