Strategic Buyer

Redline Group Ltd; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Redline Group Ltd in Bournemouth seeks an experienced Strategic Buyer to drive procurement excellence in a leading engineering and manufacturing environment. You will own strategic sourcing, supplier development, project procurement and cost optimisation, collaborating with Engineering, Quality and Operations teams.

Key responsibilities include managing supplier qualification, negotiating contracts, and ensuring procurement readiness for product launches while maintaining accurate project data

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in Strategic Buyer, Project Buyer or Senior Buyer role.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills.
• Proven experience in supplier management and supplier development.
• Excellent understanding of procurement processes, sourcing strategies and contract management.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in market research and data analysis.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement qualification.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities.
• Continuous improvement mindset with focus on delivering measurable results.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% as required.

Responsibilities

• Represent Purchasing throughout development projects, ensuring procurement readiness for successful product launches.
• Integrate sourcing and commodity strategies into project activities.
• Manage procurement of materials and components during project phases, ensuring availability, cost targets and delivery timelines.
• Work closely with suppliers, Engineering, Development and Supplier Quality teams to ensure manufacturability of new components.
• Obtain supplier quotations, lead commercial negotiations and establish supplier agreements.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Programme Management teams to ensure alignment on procurement decisions.
• Maintain accurate procurement and project data within business systems.
• Prepare structured project handover documentation for Operational Purchasing teams.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance procurement efficiency and project execution.
• Participate in supplier qualification, auditing and part approval activities.
• Conduct supplier visits to assess capability, performance and development opportunities.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Data analysis

ERP systems

Stakeholder management

Microsoft Office

Education

CIPS qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location

Bournemouth, Dorset

Overview

Are you an experienced Buyer looking to play a key role in driving procurement excellence within a leading engineering and manufacturing environment? We are seeking a proactive and commercially focused Strategic Buyer to join our Supply Chain team in Bournemouth. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of strategic sourcing activities, supplier development, project procurement and cost optimisation initiatives while working closely with Engineering, Quality and Operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

Project Procurement & Industrialisation

• Represent Purchasing throughout development projects, ensuring procurement readiness for successful product launches.
• Integrate sourcing and commodity strategies into project activities.
• Manage procurement of materials and components during project phases, ensuring availability, cost targets and delivery timelines are achieved.
• Work closely with suppliers, Engineering, Development and Supplier Quality teams to ensure manufacturability of new components.
• Obtain supplier quotations, lead commercial negotiations and establish supplier agreements.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Programme Management teams to ensure alignment on procurement decisions.
• Maintain accurate procurement and project data within business systems.
• Prepare structured project handover documentation for Operational Purchasing teams.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance procurement efficiency and project execution.
• Participate in supplier qualification, auditing and part approval activities.
• Conduct supplier visits to assess capability, performance and development opportunities.

Supplier Management & Strategic Sourcing

• Conduct supplier market analysis and identify new sourcing opportunities.
• Evaluate, qualify and develop suppliers across parts, assemblies and finished products.
• Lead supplier selection activities in collaboration with Quality and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Maintain approved supplier lists and ensure supplier risk mitigation strategies are in place.
• Drive supplier performance improvements across quality, delivery, cost and compliance metrics.
• Build strong supplier relationships to support long‑term business growth and operational success.

Cost Management & Commercial Performance

• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts, terms and conditions, NDAs and compliance agreements.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis and continuous improvement programmes.
• Conduct benchmarking activities against market trends and industry competitors.
• Monitor procurement budgets and deliver performance against key objectives.
• Establish and achieve procurement KPIs aligned with business goals.

Skills & Experience Required

• Provable Minimum 3 years' experience in a Strategic Buyer, Project Buyer or Senior Buyer role.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills.
• Proven experience in supplier management and supplier development.
• Excellent understanding of procurement processes, sourcing strategies and contract management.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in market research and data analysis.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement qualification.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on delivering measurable results.
• Ability to adapt to changing market conditions and emerging technologies.
• Experience in stock profiling and demand forecasting.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% as required.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a driven procurement professional with a strategic mindset and a passion for supplier excellence. You will thrive in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and enjoy working collaboratively across multiple departments to deliver innovative sourcing solutions and business improvements.