Senior Buyer

KHR - Recruitment Specialists; Snodland; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Completion bonus

Enhanced pension

Generous holiday allowance

Onsite gym

Canteen

Job summary

KHR - Recruitment Specialists is seeking a Senior Buyer for a 12-month fixed-term contract in Snodland. The role leads a small purchasing team, delivers cost savings and supports SAP MRP/MM processes to keep production and maintenance running smoothly.

You will source engineering parts, manage stock accuracy, and collaborate with Engineering and stakeholders to implement category management and ensure safe, compliant stores operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a supervisory purchasing role within manufacturing or heavy engineering.
• Proven track record in cost reduction initiatives and supplier negotiations.
• Experience using SAP with MRP in a relevant position.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of direct reports, including appraisals and PDPs.
• Support category management implementation and supplier negotiations.
• Manage SAP MRP/MM processes and stock accuracy across stores and maintenance parts.
• Source non-stock engineering parts and ensure timely replenishment.

Skills

Supervisory buying

SAP MRP

Cost reduction

Stakeholder management

Manufacturing environment

Education

CIPS Level 4 or above

Tools

SAP

Job description

Senior Buyer – 12-month FTC

Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Location: Snodland

Our client, a world-renowned manufacturer of innovative and sustainable solutions, is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer for a 12-month maternity cover contract. The role is responsible for leading a small purchasing team, delivering cost savings, managing SAP MRP/MM processes, sourcing engineering materials, and supporting maintenance and production activities.

Responsibilities:

• Day-to-day management of direct reports, including TMS, appraisals & PDPs.
• Assist in the implementation of a category management approach.
• Support with any site-specific requirements or group purchasing instructions as may be required from time to time.
• Manage the re-order points for spare parts, investigate and liaise with Engineering to ensure correct stock quantities are maintained of suitable spares.
• Manage consignment stocks, ensuring all settlements are carried out on a monthly cycle.
• Manage the creation of material master data in SAP for spare parts.
• Source non-stock engineering parts.
• Record all cost savings in a departmental spreadsheet for audit purposes.
• Ensure the SAP physical inventory checks are carried out daily and that 100% of inventory is counted within each fiscal year, as evidenced by (MIDO) in SAP. Monitor and recount high-value differences, investigating as necessary to ensure a high level of stock accuracy is maintained.
• Assist MRP Controller with any high-value or priority purchases.
• Ensure the central stores are compliant with Safety and Environmental rules and legislation, and that the operatives are fully trained and act at all times in a safe manner, ensuring safe systems of work and risk assessment are regularly completed.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with the key internal and external stakeholders to facilitate and develop cost-saving strategies across all Mill departments.
• Provide stores with cover for planned or unplanned machine shutdowns.
• Provide departmental cover as required.
• Participate when required in training programmes as part of the annual appraisal process.
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings.
• Accept additional education/training as deemed necessary, as a result of new equipment and/or changes in technology, in order to continue satisfactorily carrying out the role.
• When requested, to be available for meetings/projects/working away for short periods of time, which may include occasional overnight trips.
• Monitor and assess all Operations/procedures, and when required, assist in updating/improvements.

Person Specification:

• Extensive experience in a supervisory purchasing role, preferably within a manufacturing environment or a heavy engineering environment.
• Highly motivated and analytical with excellent purchasing experience.
• Strong management skills to lead a small team and gain support from all departmental managers for purchasing activities.
• Experience in using SAP with a sound knowledge of MRP in a relevant position.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply at level 4 or above mentality.
• Experienced negotiator with a proven track record of cost reduction initiatives.
• Category Management experience is preferred, but not essential.

On top of a competitive base salary, you will be eligible for a completion bonus, an enhanced company pension, generous holiday allowance, and a range of additional benefits, including full access to onsite facilities such as a gym and canteen.