Senior Buyer - 12 Month FTC

CooperCompanies; Fareham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare company in Fareham is seeking a Senior Buyer to manage sourcing and procurement related to packaging. The role involves negotiating contracts and developing supplier relationships while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of purchasing experience and a degree in a relevant field. Competitive compensation and an excellent benefits package are offered, including training and career development opportunities.

Benefits

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Wellness Platform access

LinkedIn Learning access

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in purchasing.
• Experience with contract and supplier negotiation.
• Fluency in English, additional languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end sourcing and contract administration.
• Conduct competitive bids and supplier evaluations.
• Ensure timely procurement of materials.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Problem-solving skills

Decision-making skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

CIPS Certification

Tools

Oracle

MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Summary

As a Senior Buyer, you will be responsible for the sourcing and procurement of goods and services, as well as the development of supplier relationships ensuring best procurement practices and value. This role will be specifically responsible for Packaging.

In collaboration with stakeholders, the Senior Buyer develops policies and strategies to meet CooperVision’s needs, selects sources of supply and partners with the Global Sourcing Manager for Packaging to conduct competitive bids and cost reviews as applicable, to ensure sourcing decisions align with the company’s best interests.

Travel Requirements

Travel up to 10% each year.

Essential Functions & Accountabilities

• Ensures the effective procurement of all assigned goods and services in accordance with regulatory, corporate, and operational policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the timely procurement of materials ensuring adherence to inventory levels and quality standards to meet business needs and manufacturing demand.
• Within the area of responsibility leads the end-to-end sourcing and contract administration process, including developing Requests for Quotes (RFQ’s), supplier bid evaluations, negotiations, contracting and supplier relationship management.
• Manages the supplier relationship within the area of responsibility including supplier development, integration and supplier performance evaluation while promoting company social responsibility goals.
• Supports the Supplier Management Qualification process for assigned suppliers and participate in cross functions teams as appropriate to ensure that goods and services changes are introduced via the correct change process, including regulatory, validation, discontinuations, and product launches.
• Accountable for category savings targets and performance measures. Reviews specifications and Statements of Work (SOWs) to ensure assigned goods and services ordered meet the required quality standards.
• Provide a range of data and reports to Senior Management on procurement and inventory activity to allow management, budgetary and expense reviews to be carried out.
• Support the development of strategies to minimize business risk within the sourcing and procurement process, including where appropriate the use of supplier agreements and disaster recovery planning.
• Maintains contact and effective working relationships with all levels of personnel both internal and external.
• Participate in cross functional project team activities to ensure that high value / long-term purchasing agreements are commercially sound and providing best value / lowest risk for the company.
• Reviews invoicing / pricing issues and assist Accounts Payable (A / P) with the reconciliation with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Performs other related assignments as required by Senior Management.
• Assist the Global Sourcing and Procurement team as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate contracts, secure bids, and evaluate requests for quotations.
• Strong problem solving, team building and decision‑making skills. Ability to negotiate with suppliers and influence internal stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Fluency in English both written and verbal required. Any other language would be an advantage.
• Experience using an MRP system preferred, previous experience in Oracle, BAAN, BPCS and Agile would be an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of the Microsoft suite, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to read and understand technical material, such as engineering specifications or Statement of Works.
• Demonstrated analytical skills, as well as interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read and interpret Statement of Works (SOWs) and specifications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of working in a regulatory environment is preferred.
• Demonstrated administrative skills necessary to establish the proper work priorities; ability to act with initiative regarding follow‑up and the completion of multiple projects.
• Excellent communication skills capable of operating at all levels both within and outside the business; ability to formulate response to detailed questions in representing corporate policy / practice within function. Comfortable giving audiovisual presentations to both suppliers and internal audiences.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of internal personnel and external supply base.
• Demonstrated competency in Internet resources relating to purchasing research.

Work Environment

• Normal office environment.
• Ability to perform light to medium physical work and standing for long periods of time, if required depending on the task.
• Prolonged sitting in front of a computer.
• Exposure to manufacturing environment.
• Visits to suppliers, the warehouse, production, and ancillary areas might be required.

Experience and Education

• 5+ years of experience in purchasing one or more of the following : Indirect / Non‑product and or Direct / Product goods and services.
• Experience / Knowledge of sourcing goods and services.
• Experience / Knowledge in contract and supplier negotiation.
• Familiar with manufacturing environment.
• ERP systems required. Oracle experience is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Management, Business, or Project Management or a related field required.
• Chartered Institute of Supply Certificate (CIPS), CPM and / or APICS Certification is strongly preferred.

What we offer

You’ll receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including 25 days holiday, pension scheme, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more!

We are committed to our employees’ personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual to reach their full potential. To help us achieve our goals, we’ll give you everything you need to help you achieve yours.

We also provide access to LinkedIn Learning to help you develop in your career and grow with CooperVision.

What you can expect

As a CooperVision employee, you’ll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering an inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success.