Senior Buyer

Reed; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35‑hour working week

Flexible start and finish times

Company pension scheme

Life assurance

Health cash plan

25 days annual leave plus bank holiday

Job summary

Reed is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to lead category strategies, manage supplier performance, and drive cost optimisation across multiple product ranges in a manufacturing setting.

You will develop procurement strategies with internal stakeholders, ensure quality and delivery requirements, and push continuous improvement across the supply chain. This role offers a stable, growing business environment and clear career progression.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Senior Buyer or similar (Buyer/Category Buyer/Procurement Specialist).
• Proven success in supplier negotiation, contract management, and strategic sourcing.
• Strong analytical skills with spend data and performance metrics.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proactive and collaborative approach, with ability to influence and drive change.
• CIPS qualification or actively working towards.
• Experience in manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, automotive, defence or related sectors would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category and sourcing strategies to achieve cost, quality, and service objectives.
• Lead supplier identification, evaluation, selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance management.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing structures, contract terms, and long‑term supplier partnerships.
• Analyse spend data, market trends, and supplier performance to identify cost saving opportunities and process improvements.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders across the business.
• Support supply chain risk management and business continuity planning activities.
• Ensure procurement and ERP system data is maintained accurately and efficiently.
• Monitor supplier KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, KPI reporting, and procurement planning activities.
• Provide guidance and support to procurement colleagues and contribute to departmental development.

Skills

Supplier negotiation

Contract management

Strategic sourcing

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPS qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer £45,000 - £50,000 DOE benefits 33 days holiday (includes bank holidays) An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Buyer to join a well-established and highly respected manufacturing and engineering organisation. This position offers the chance to play a pivotal role within the procurement team, taking ownership of strategic sourcing activities, supplier performance, and cost optimisation initiatives that directly impact business success. This role would suit a commercially astute procurement professional who enjoys building strong supplier relationships, driving continuous improvement, and delivering tangible value through effective sourcing and negotiation strategies.

The Role

As Senior Buyer, you will lead sourcing and supplier management activities across a diverse portfolio of products and services. Working closely with internal stakeholders, you will develop procurement strategies that support business objectives while ensuring quality, cost, delivery, and risk requirements are met. You will also contribute to wider procurement excellence initiatives, support junior team members where required, and help drive continuous improvement across the supply chain function.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category and sourcing strategies to achieve cost, quality, and service objectives.
• Lead supplier identification, evaluation, selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance management.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing structures, contract terms, and long‑term supplier partnerships.
• Analyse spend data, market trends, and supplier performance to identify cost saving opportunities and process improvements.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders across the business.
• Support supply chain risk management and business continuity planning activities.
• Ensure procurement and ERP system data is maintained accurately and efficiently.
• Monitor supplier KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, KPI reporting, and procurement planning activities.
• Provide guidance and support to procurement colleagues and contribute to departmental development.

About You

• Previous experience in a Senior Buyer, Buyer, Category Buyer, or Procurement Specialist position.
• Proven success in supplier negotiation, contract management, and strategic sourcing.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret spend data and procurement performance metrics.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with the confidence to influence and drive change.
• CIPS qualification or actively working towards.
• Experience within manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, automotive, defence, or other technical sectors would be highly advantageous.

What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary of £45,000 - £50,000 (depending on experience)
• 35‑hour working week
• Flexible start and finish times, option for early finish on Fridays
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Health cash plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Opportunity to join a stable and growing organisation with excellent long‑term career prospects