Senior Buyer

Select Appointments; Norwich; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is looking for a Senior Buyer for a technical procurement role in Norwich. This full-time position includes responsibilities such as managing purchasing activities, negotiating supplier agreements, and line-managing an Assistant Buyer. The ideal candidate will have experience in engineering or manufacturing, strong negotiation skills, and an understanding of ERP/MRP systems. A generous benefits package is offered, including a competitive salary between £45,000 and £55,000 and a strong pension scheme.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Holiday grows with service

Enhanced paternity leave

Employee recognition programmes

Qualifications

• Experience as a Senior Buyer or Technical Buyer in engineering or manufacturing.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Proven negotiation skills and supplier relationship management.
• Mentoring or team development experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily purchasing activities to support production timelines.
• Issue RFQs and negotiate pricing and terms.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and monitor performance.
• Line-manage and mentor the Assistant Buyer.
• Support supply chain transformation projects.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Supplier relationship management

Technical drawing interpretation

Understanding of manufacturing processes

ERP/MRP experience

Mentoring experience

Education

CIPS qualification or working towards it

Tools

Oracle E1

Job description

Overview

Senior Buyer – Technical Procurement – Full‑time (Mon‑Fri 8:00–18:00) – Norwich – Salary £45,000‑£55,000 (dependent on proven experience) – 24 days' holiday plus bank holidays with enhanced entitlement through the company benefits scheme.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Sourcing

• Manage daily purchasing activities to support production and project timelines.
• Issue RFQs, analyse quotations, negotiate pricing, terms, and supplier agreements.
• Raise and manage purchase orders within the ERP system (Oracle E1 preferred).
• Support new product introduction (NPI), cost reduction, and sustainability initiatives.

Supplier Management

• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and monitor performance for quality, delivery, and cost.
• Work cross‑functionally to resolve supplier issues and support corrective actions.
• Participate in supplier onboarding, assessments, and improvement reviews.

People Development

• Line‑manage and mentor the Assistant Buyer, providing structure, support, and training.
• Promote best practices in sourcing, negotiation, and procurement processes.

Continuous Improvement & Projects

• Support supply chain transformation projects, including ERP reimplementation.
• Contribute to process improvements for efficiency, cost optimisation, and supplier collaboration.
• Assist with ESG, sustainability, and compliance initiatives including ISO and BRCGS.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure all procurement data is accurate—including pricing, lead times, and supplier information.
• Resolve discrepancies quickly and maintain key procurement metrics.
• Adhere to all health, safety, and company policies.

Skills & Experience

• Experience as a Senior Buyer or Technical Buyer in engineering or manufacturing.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, moulding, etc.).
• Proven negotiation skills and supplier relationship management.
• ERP/MRP experience (Oracle E1 advantageous).
• Mentoring or team development experience desirable.
• CIPS qualification or working towards it is beneficial.

Company Benefits

• Generous pension scheme: 2.5% employee / 10% employer contributions after 3 months.
• Holiday that grows with service: 24 days (plus bank holidays) increase by 1 day each year up to 28 days.
• Enhanced paternity leave.
• Employee recognition programmes, including peer‑nominated awards.

Interested?

Apply now or contact Katie Dobson at Select Recruitment for more information.