Senior Buyer (Electronics)

OpenWorks Engineering; North East; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the North East of England is seeking a Senior Buyer to enhance their supply chain and manage electronic component procurement. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in a high-technology manufacturing environment, strong technical knowledge of electronics, and proven negotiation skills. This role offers a competitive salary starting from £40,000, alongside excellent benefits such as private healthcare, pension contributions, and a thriving work culture focused on growth and collaboration.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

25 days' holiday + public holidays

Free breakfast and lunches

Private healthcare through Aviva

Life assurance

Salary sacrifice schemes

Paid team socials

Pension plan with employer-matched contributions

Culture that empowers change

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer within a high‑technology manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of electronic components, PCB assemblies, harnesses and related supply chain constraints.
• Excellent negotiation skills and experience managing supplier performance.
• Able to interpret engineering drawings, BOMs and technical documentation.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems (we use Infor Syteline).
• Strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems.
• Effective communicator with strong stakeholder‑management capabilities.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast‑moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading the procurement of electronic components, PCB assemblies, harnesses and related hardware.
• Building strong supplier relationships, negotiating favourable terms and driving performance in cost, quality and delivery.
• Working closely with engineering teams to interpret specifications and ensure components meet technical requirements.
• Managing long‑term supply agreements and implementing mitigation strategies for critical, high‑risk or long‑lead items.
• Tracking industry trends such as obsolescence and lead‑time fluctuations and communicating impacts to stakeholders.
• Analysing spend, delivering cost‑reduction initiatives and continuously improving procurement processes.
• Maintaining accurate supplier, pricing and lead‑time information within the ERP system.
• Addressing supply disruptions, expediting orders when required and maintaining clear communication across the organisation.

Skills

Procurement Experience

Electronics Knowledge

Negotiation Strength

Technical Ability

Systems Capability

Analytical Mindset

Communication Skills

Prioritisation & Pace

Education

CIPS qualified or working toward CIPS

Tools

ERP/MRP systems (Infor Syteline)

Job description

Overview

We're looking for a Senior Buyer who can strengthen our supply chain, build strategic supplier partnerships and keep critical electronic components moving reliably into our products. This is a great opportunity for someone with strong technical understanding and commercial awareness to add real value, navigate complex supplier markets, support our engineering teams and help maintain a smooth, efficient production flow. In this role, you'll take ownership of electronic sourcing, influence key decisions and play a key part in shaping the procurement strategy behind some of the most advanced defence technology in the industry. Candidates must have proven experience in purchasing electronic components, with strong detailed knowledge of electronic parts and supply markets.

Responsibilities

• Electronic Sourcing: Leading the procurement of electronic components, PCB assemblies, harnesses and related hardware
• Supplier Management: Building strong supplier relationships, negotiating favourable terms and driving performance in cost, quality and delivery
• Technical Collaboration: Working closely with engineering teams to interpret specifications and ensure components meet technical requirements
• Risk Management: Managing long‑term supply agreements and implementing mitigation strategies for critical, high‑risk or long‑lead items
• Market Analysis: Tracking industry trends such as obsolescence and lead‑time fluctuations and communicating impacts to stakeholders
• Cost & Process Improvement: Analysing spend, delivering cost‑reduction initiatives and continuously improving procurement processes
• Data Accuracy: Maintaining accurate supplier, pricing and lead‑time information within the ERP system
• Issue Resolution: Addressing supply disruptions, expediting orders when required and maintaining clear communication across the organisation

Qualifications

• Procurement Experience: Proven experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer within a high‑technology manufacturing environment
• Electronics Knowledge: Strong understanding of electronic components, PCB assemblies, harnesses and related supply chain constraints
• Negotiation Strength: Excellent negotiation skills and experience managing supplier performance
• Technical Ability: Able to interpret engineering drawings, BOMs and technical documentation
• Systems Capability: Experience using ERP/MRP systems (we use Infor Syteline)
• Analytical Mindset: Strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems
• Communication Skills: Effective communicator with strong stakeholder‑management capabilities
• Prioritisation & Pace: Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast‑moving environment
• CIPS qualified or working toward CIPS

About the Company

OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra‑high performance, real‑time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations. We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world. The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package, salary from £40,000 with performance‑related bonuses and clear progression opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday + public holidays, with long‑service rewards and the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
• Free breakfast and freshly cooked lunches every day, courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
• Private healthcare through Aviva, keeping you feeling your best.
• Life assurance for peace of mind.
• Salary sacrifice schemes – including EV car and Cycle to Work options for easy, sustainable travel.
• Paid team socials – from quiz nights and football to board games and more; we love to have fun together.
• Pension plan with employer‑matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
• A culture that empowers – we enable change, encourage challenge, and celebrate personal growth.