Senior Buyer

Melbreck Technical Recruitment; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading design and manufacturing firm near Maidenhead seeks a Senior Buyer/Category Specialist. This role involves developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Ideal candidates will have 5-7 years of procurement experience, excellent negotiation skills, and a relevant degree. The position offers a salary of £55,000 to £65,000, a 5% bonus, and comprehensive benefits including private medical coverage.

Benefits

5% Discretionary Bonus

Car allowance

Private medical cover

Pension matched up to 8%

25 days leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years' experience in Procurement strategic sourcing.
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing methodologies.
• Experience in supporting supply chain development in engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term category strategies for cost savings.
• Conduct market analysis and supplier assessments for sourcing opportunities.
• Lead RFx processes and supplier negotiations.

Skills

Strategic sourcing methodologies

Contract management

Supplier relationship management

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

MBA or related certification (e.g., CIPS, CPM)

Tools

MRP systems

Job description

Overview

Senior Buyer and Category Specialist - Maidenhead - £55,000 to £65,000 + 5% Bonus and Private Healthcare. Melbreck Technical are working with a leading designer and manufacturer of special-purpose electro-mechanical and electronic equipment based near Maidenhead. Due to a planned expansion, and succession planning for the next two to three years, they are actively looking for a Senior Buyer / Category Specialist to join the organisation as soon as possible. This role comes with excellent career prospects as it is a critical position within the business' growth strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term category strategies to achieve cost savings, improve quality, improve on-time delivery and reduce supply risk.
• Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and supplier assessments to identify sourcing opportunities, including supplier rationalisation.
• Lead RFx processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ), supplier negotiations, cross-functional supplier selection, and contract negotiation / execution for strategic spend categories.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders to understand their needs and align procurement strategies accordingly.
• Support the Procurement Manager to manage supplier performance.
• Monitor industry trends, supply chain risks, and changes in the market that may influence sourcing plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Develop KPIs, dashboards, and reports to track category performance.
• Identify opportunities for sustainability, innovation, and cost optimization.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards.

Candidate Requirements

• At least 5 to 7 years' experience in Procurement strategic sourcing.
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing methodologies, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation (especially around Contracts and Frame Agreements), and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field; MBA or related certification (e.g., CIPS, CPM) is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of supporting the development and improvement of a complex supply chain within an engineering and manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to the aerospace/defence market would be an advantage.
• Experienced in working within MRP environments.

Benefits

• £55,000 to £65,000 Salary
• Up to 5% Discretionary Bonus
• Car allowance
• Private medical cover
• Pension matched up to 8%
• 25 days leave plus bank holidays.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a forward-thinking business that can offer you excellent career growth opportunities. If you are interested in this role, please Apply Now