Senior Buyer

JR United Kingdom; Wickford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturer is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join their procurement team. This key role involves managing procurement, optimizing costs, and developing strategies to enhance supplier performance. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of supply chain management and proven experience in procurement.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of inventory and supply chain management.
• Proven experience as a senior member of a procurement team.
• Effective understanding of external supply markets and emerging trends.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement of materials, goods, and services.
• Negotiate contracts and maintain supplier relationships.
• Develop procurement strategies aligned with organizational goals.

Skills

Inventory management

Negotiation

Communication

Interpersonal abilities

Education

CIPS qualified or working towards

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Our client, a leading manufacturer are looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to join their expanding team.

This role is key within the procurement team. It steers the Director and Senior team members toward informed strategic and operational decision-making by providing accurate information and sound commercial judgment.

As a senior buyer, you will manage the procurement of materials, goods and services for the organisation, ensuring that you are optimising the cost, cash, quality and service. You’ll drive added value through sourcing strategically, value engineering, innovation delivery and risk management.

Responsibilities:

1. Procurement Planning:

• Forecast levels of demand for services and products.
• Conduct research to source the best products and suppliers regarding best value, delivery schedules, and quality
• Forecast price trends and their impact on future activities
• Continuously gather, analyse, interpret and act upon market intelligence.
• Purchasing materials in line with requirements/shortfall/MRP
• Inventory management
• Responsible for the shortfall list and placing orders as required for key suppliers
• Provide cover for the Procurement Manager when required
• Work closely with freight forwarders to ensure full view of the supply chain and tender each shipment to ensure quickest and most cost-efficient option is selected and feed this into the operations team

2. Procurement Management:

• Assist in managing the day-to-day procurement operations, ensuring key metrics are delivered
• Negotiate and agree on contracts, monitor the quality of service provided, and ensure all relevant legal terms are agreed upon between us and the suppliers
• Maintain supplier relationships, align with our strategic goals, and ensure that suppliers deliver outstanding service and quality
• Attend supplier meetings and trade conferences in the UK and overseas
• Day to day management of supplier and part data ensuring everything is up to date

3. Procurement Strategies:

• Develop and implement procurement strategies in alignment with the organisation's goals, objectives, and business plans
• Develop strategies to ensure that cost savings and supplier performance targets are met - or exceeded
• Accountable for successful supplier performance management using vendor scorecards and supporting the team dealing with key suppliers to provide performance improvements as required
• Negotiate supply agreement terms with new and existing suppliers on pricing, stockholding, lead times, and quality
• Analyse data and produce reports and statistics on spending and saving.
• Optimise inventory and stock holdings based on customer demand and business goals
• Identify long-term savings opportunities through strategy creation, exploring all potential value levers
• Create compelling business cases for change in collaboration with stakeholders
• Develop and maintain long-term, positive relationships with suppliers within our industry
• Identify and assess procurement risks and develop strategies to mitigate them
• Comprehensive understanding of supply chain risks, managing key suppliers, leading vulnerability assessments, and submitting mitigation plans accordingly
• On-going supplier relationship and performance management activities, de-risk supply chain
• Keep up to date with industry trends
• Ensure the supply chain is ethical and that it meets our net carbon plans

5. Staff Management, reward, and leadership:

• Motivate the buyers in the Procurement team, ensuring relevant KPIs and objectives are worked towards and met.

6. IT Systems:

• Assist in the delivery of the company’s internal digitalisation plans.
• Ownership and accountability in progressing with a best-in-class stock system.
• Utilise the best technologies to automate & streamline business processes and drive continuous improvement.
• Keep abreast of technological advancements and use them to our benefit.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Deep knowledge of inventory and supply chain management
• CIPS qualified or working towards
• Proven experience as a senior member of a procurement team
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Experience of negotiating with third parties, with an understanding of contract law
• Effective and up-to-date understanding of the external supply markets, with knowledge and awareness of emerging trends, opportunities, and risks within your category field

Noble Recruiting are an equal opportunities employer

Please note that due to the high number of applications we receive, only successful candidates will be contacted.