Senior Buyer

SF Partners; Hinckley and Bosworth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

SF Partners are partnering with an established manufacturing business in Leicestershire to recruit a commercially driven Senior Buyer. This onsite role offers the chance to influence supplier relationships, drive cost improvements and shape purchasing decisions to support commercial objectives.

You will manage sourcing activities, negotiate agreements and collaborate with operations to ensure materials availability and value.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing or procurement within manufacturing, engineering, or related environment.
• Confident supplier negotiations and making commercially sound decisions.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Understanding of how purchasing decisions affect stock, cash flow and ops performance.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with purchasing data.

Responsibilities

• Build productive relationships with suppliers to secure competitive pricing and reliable service.
• Lead sourcing activities, negotiate agreements, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Use purchasing data to inform decisions on availability, demand and stock investment.
• Review and introduce practical improvements to purchasing processes for efficiency.
• Collaborate with operations and technical teams to respond to changing priorities.
• Manage supplier challenges and ensure business requirements stay on track.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen supplier partnerships and reduce unnecessary costs.
• Share knowledge and experience to develop the purchasing function.

Skills

Supplier negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Purchasing knowledge

Cost reduction

Relationship building

Sourcing activities

Education

CIPS qualification

Tools

Purchasing systems

Job description

Job Title: Senior Buyer

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire - Onsite

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000

Ready for a buying role where your ideas and experience will genuinely count?

SF Partners are partnering with an established manufacturing business in Leicestershire to recruit a commercially driven Senior Buyer.

We're looking for someone who enjoys the challenge of buying well, building great supplier relationships and finding smarter ways of working.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Buyer who wants more than simply keeping purchasing activity moving. You'll have the freedom to use your judgement, contribute ideas and play an important part in how the business manages its suppliers, costs and materials.

It's a busy environment where priorities can change, so you'll need to enjoy variety, think on your feet and be comfortable taking responsibility.

What will you be doing?

You’ll be working with colleagues across the business to make sure purchasing decisions support both commercial objectives and day‑to‑day operations.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building productive relationships with suppliers, ensuring the business receives competitive pricing, reliable service and strong commercial value.
• Taking the lead on sourcing activities, negotiating agreements and identifying opportunities to improve purchasing costs.
• Using purchasing and supply chain information to make informed decisions around availability, demand and stock investment.
• Reviewing existing ways of working and introducing practical improvements that make purchasing more efficient.
• Working collaboratively with operational and technical colleagues to understand their requirements and respond to changing priorities.
• Managing supplier challenges, finding solutions and ensuring business requirements remain on track.
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen supplier partnerships, improve service and reduce unnecessary costs.
• Sharing your knowledge and experience with colleagues, supporting a positive and effective purchasing function.

What are we looking for?

We're interested in speaking with experienced Buyers, Senior Buyers or procurement professionals who enjoy combining commercial thinking with a practical, hands‑on approach.

Ideally, you'll have:

• A background in purchasing or procurement within manufacturing, engineering, industrial supply or a related environment.
• Confidence negotiating with suppliers and making commercially sound decisions.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and identifying cost‑saving opportunities.
• An understanding of how purchasing decisions affect stock, cash flow and operational performance.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence working with purchasing systems and data.
• The ability to build relationships across different departments and communicate effectively at all levels.
• A genuine interest in improving processes, solving problems and contributing ideas.
• A CIPS qualification would be advantageous, although we're equally interested in people who have developed strong procurement expertise through practical experience.

The person behind the CV matters

Our client isn't looking for someone who simply ticks every technical box. They're looking for someone who brings energy, initiative and a positive approach to their work. Someone who enjoys a challenge, takes ownership and isn't afraid to suggest a better way of doing things.

You’ll be joining a business where collaboration matters and where your ability to build relationships, respond to challenges and make things happen will be just as valuable as your purchasing knowledge.

Why consider this opportunity?

• An established manufacturing environment with varied purchasing challenges.
• The opportunity to take ownership and influence commercial decisions.
• Scope to introduce improvements and contribute to how the purchasing function operates.
• A role combining supplier relationships, commercial negotiations and operational problem‑solving.

THIS IS AN ONSITE BASED ROLE - NO HYBRID WORKING IS OFFERED