Senior Buyer

Luxfer MEL Technologies - UK; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Luxfer MEL Technologies - UK in Manchester is seeking a Senior Buyer to join our Procurement team, reporting to the Head of Procurement. The role blends strategic category management with hands-on purchasing, supplier negotiation and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years’ purchasing experience in manufacturing or industrial settings, with strong commercial, analytical and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years’ purchasing or procurement experience.
• Experience managing suppliers and delivering cost savings.
• Strong category management capability and market insight.

Responsibilities

• Own defined strategic spend categories and develop sourcing plans.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to align procurement with needs.
• Lead supplier negotiations, tenders and contract reviews.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Analytical thinking

Numerical skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Education

CIPS qualification

Business/commercial degree

Tools

SAP

ERP software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Senior Buyer

Reports to: Head of Procurement

Department: Procurement

Location: Manchester

About US

Luxfer MEL Technologies is a global leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of Magnesium and Zirconium-based products and services to technology industries worldwide

We are looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Procurement team in Manchester, reporting to the Head of Procurement. This is a key role combining strategic category management with operational purchasing, supplier negotiation and stakeholder engagement. You will be responsible for sourcing goods, materials, components and services, managing strategic spend categories, delivering measurable cost savings, improving supplier performance and supporting continuity of supply. The successful candidate will have a minimum of five years’ purchasing or procurement experience, ideally within a manufacturing or industrial environment, with strong commercial, analytical, negotiation and supplier management skills. CIPS qualification (or working towards CIPS), or a relevant business/commercial degree, is desirable, along with advanced Excel and Microsoft Office skills; SAP/ERP experience would be an advantage. The role offers an opportunity to make a real commercial impact within a fast-paced environment, supporting strategic procurement initiatives and senior-level decision-making.

Main Duties:

• Own and manage defined strategic spend categories, developing sourcing plans that support cost reduction, supply continuity, quality and business growth.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to understand demand, specifications, risks and priorities, ensuring procurement activity is aligned with operational and commercial needs.
• Lead supplier negotiations, tenders and contract reviews to secure competitive pricing, improved terms and measurable value for the business.
• Review category spend, supplier performance and market conditions to identify opportunities for savings, risk reduction, second sourcing and process improvement.
• Manage the supplier base for assigned categories, using SAP data and other performance information to support regular reviews and corrective action.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capability, competitor activity and cost drivers, providing timely insight on risks and opportunities.
• Purchase goods, materials, components and services in line with agreed cost, quality and delivery targets, using SAP and agreed procurement processes.
• Act as the interface between suppliers and internal departments on purchasing activity, supply issues, new projects and improvement initiatives.
• Prepare procurement reports, savings updates and supplier performance information for management review and SLT support.
• Support the Head of Procurement with strategic projects, annual objectives, savings delivery and supplier development initiatives.
• Contribute positively to the wider Procurement team, sharing workload where required and supporting regulatory or business-critical requirements.
• Undertake any other duties within the scope and competence of the role as required.

Qualifications/ Education

• CIPS qualified, working towards CIPS qualification, or holding a relevant business or commercial degree.

Experience

• Minimum five years’ purchasing or procurement experience, ideally within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing suppliers, negotiating terms and delivering measurable cost savings.
• Strong category management capability, including spend analysis, tendering, supplier review and market insight.

• Experience working with global suppliers and complex supply chains.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong commercial, analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret data and support decisions.
• Advanced Excel capability and confident use of Microsoft Office; experience of procurement reporting and performance analysis.
• Strong communication, negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to prioritise workload, manage deadlines and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP systems.

• Experience supporting senior-level procurement reporting or presentations.

Personal Attributes

• Professional, proactive and resilient team player who demonstrates accountability, integrity and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Working Pattern

• 37 hours per week standard but will be required to be flexible with these hours in line with business need.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. If you wish to request that your application be considered under the terms of our Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please explicitly state so in your CV and / or accompanying cover letter.