Senior Buyer

MBDA UK Ltd; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization is seeking a Senior Buyer to lead Procurement activities and manage supplier relationships. You will work in a dynamic team, focusing on strategic sourcing and operational best practices to support business needs. Ideal candidates should have procurement experience, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for driving improvements. The role includes a competitive salary of £35,000 - £40,000 and a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Up to £2,500 company bonus

Maximum pension contribution of 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

Up to 15 additional flexi leave days

Enhanced parental leave

Subsidised meals and free parking

Healthcare Cash Plan

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of operational procurement processes.
• Ability to develop strategy and drive improvements.
• Strong ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Utilise MRP/SAP data for demand forecasting.
• Support sourcing and contracting activities.
• Identify and manage supplier risks and issues.
• Focus on continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain savings register and cost governance.
• Ensure topicality of system data related to procurement.

Skills

Procurement and Supply Chain experience

Strong contracting experience

Excellent communication skills

Negotiation and influencing skills

High level of computer literacy

Education

CIPS level 4 or equivalent HNC/HND in Business Studies

Tools

MRP/SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Bolton

Be a part of our Industrial Policy, Supply Chain and Procurement (ISP) team! We're responsible for procuring and managing the supply chain for direct and indirect products and services for both projects and the business, with a total spend of approximately €500M per year across UK, France and Italy.

Salary: Circa £35,000 - £40,000 depending on experience

Location: Stevenage/ Bolton (We may be able to offer a relocation package for this role)

Dynamic (hybrid) working: Minimum 2 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you

• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more .

The opportunity

As the Senior Buyer, you will be responsible for both leading Procurement activities and supporting the Lead Buyer (where in place). Working alongside the Category Manager, Supply Chain Manager and Supplier Planner, you will be responsible for ensuring operational activities of the category are undertaken in line with procurement excellence. Reporting to the Procurement Team Lead, you will be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with the MBDA multi-function teams, as well as suppliers to achieve the best possible outcome to align supply to our development and production activities. This role will provide you with the opportunity to work in a varied and dynamic team environment, where complex stakeholder management and strategic sourcing are undertaken to deliver current and future requirements.

Your Main Responsibilities

• Forecasting: Utilise MRP/SAP data to identify and communicate planned demand, make sourcing decisions on long term needs and the best economical decisions
• Sourcing & Contracting: Owning or supporting the Lead Buyer (where in place) with source to pay activities and supply contracts, ensuring alignment to English law and procurement best practice
• Risk and Issue Management: Identify Supplier risks and issues, managing these risks as part of multi-functional team - communicating to internal stakeholder and projects as required
• Continuous Improvement focus, supporting transversal improvement initiatives
• Support the multi-function-team in driving sustainable supplier performance and improvement activities
• Cost Governance: Maintain a savings register, highlighting savings in relation to cost and total cost of ownership. Ensure cost increase governance process is utilised correctly
• System Topicality: Ensure topicality of system data, from Material Master and Purchase Info Records, as well as all open contracts and Purchase orders

What we're looking for from you

You will have excellent knowledge of operational procurement processes, whilst being an excellent team player and capable of taking a lead in your category. You will have well-developed communication, negotiation, analytical and interpersonal skills with a strong ability to influence at all levels with both your internal and external stakeholders. You will be passionate about developing strategy and driving improvements in order to meet the overall needs of the business.

• Procurement and or Supply Chain experience, managing all activities within the scope of the role, with an in depth knowledge of principles, practices and processes
• Strong contracting experience and capability
• Commercial and financial understanding
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate to various levels of internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills; able to secure the best commercial position for MBDA
• High level of computer literacy and proficient in the use of Microsoft office tools for analysing and communicating purposes
• Whilst not essential, CIPS level 4 (or working towards) or equivalent HNC/HND in Business Studies or equivalent qualification would be beneficial

Our company

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.

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