Senior Buyer

W Talent; Coventry; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive procurement company seeks an experienced Senior Buyer to manage the sourcing and delivery of metal materials essential for various OEM vehicle programmes. In this practical program-driven role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure timely procurement and delivery of parts. A successful candidate will have substantial hands-on experience in automotive procurement, particularly in managing suppliers and intricate metal materials. Competitive salary and benefits are offered to attractive candidates.

Benefits

Holiday

Pension

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Relocation package

Qualifications

• Experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer within an automotive OEM or Tier 1.
• Strong understanding of metal materials, castings, machining processes.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced programme environment.

Responsibilities

• Purchase metallic materials needed for vehicle builds.
• Manage procurement of castings and machined components.
• Ensure parts are delivered on time to support builds.

Skills

Supplier management

Metal materials procurement

Reading engineering drawings

Issue resolution

Strong communication

Education

CIPS qualification

Engineering or manufacturing background

Job description

Senior Buyer - Automotive

Location: Coventry
Industry: Automotive (OEM)
Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Salary: £45,000-£55,000 (DOE)
Benefits: Holiday, Pension, Dental, Health, Life Insurance
Other: Relocation package available

At a Glance

Core Focus: Day-to-day buying of metal materials and cast/machined parts to support OEM vehicle programmes

Environment: Fast-paced, engineering-led automotive setting with close involvement in programme delivery

Why It Matters: You will ensure critical components and materials reach build lines on time, to cost and quality

Ideal Candidate: A hands-on buyer with experience managing suppliers and parts for automotive programmes

About the Role

We're looking for a Senior Buyer with strong automotive experience to manage the sourcing and delivery of metal materials, castings, forgings and machined components required for multiple OEM vehicle programmes.

This is a practical, programme-driven role where you will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality and programme management teams to make sure parts are sourced, ordered and delivered in line with build timing and engineering release schedules.

Your responsibilities will centre on supplier communication, purchase order management, issue resolution and ensuring programme demand is met without disruption.

Key Responsibilities

• Purchase aluminium, steel, iron and other metallic materials needed for vehicle builds and development phases
• Manage procurement of sand, die, pressure and investment castings, plus forged and CNC‑machined components
• Ensure parts and materials are delivered on time to support prototype, pre‑production and production builds
• Work closely with engineering teams to understand BOM changes, drawings, specs and material requirements
• Issue and manage RFQs, evaluate supplier quotes, and place purchase orders in line with programme timelines
• Track delivery schedules, resolve shortages, expedite orders and address supply issues quickly
• Support engineering change control and update any sourcing or PO requirements accordingly
• Monitor supplier performance against OEM standards for quality, cost, delivery and responsiveness

About You

• Experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer within an automotive OEM or Tier 1
• Strong understanding of metal materials, castings, machining processes and how they feed into vehicle systems
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced programme environment with tight deadlines
• Capable of reading engineering drawings, specs and understanding material requirements
• Confident in managing suppliers, solving delivery problems and supporting build schedules
• Skilled in RFQs, PO management, cost tracking and general procurement processes
• Strong communicator able to work effectively with engineering, quality, logistics and programme teams
• Engineering, manufacturing or materials‑related background beneficial; CIPS advantageous

Why Join?

• Support real OEM vehicle programmes with direct impact on build success
• Work in a collaborative, hands‑on automotive procurement team
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Career development within an expanding automotive operation