Strategic Buyer

LESS COMMON METALS LIMITED; Ellesmere Port; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

LESS COMMON METALS LIMITED, a specialist manufacturer and global supplier, is seeking a Strategic Buyer to develop sourcing strategies, strengthen supplier partnerships, and ensure secure supply of critical raw materials. You will lead negotiations, monitor markets, and collaborate with Operations, Technical, Quality, Finance and Supply Chain to align procurement with business goals.

This role offers exposure to international markets and opportunities to influence cost, risk, and resilience

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements and manage strategic supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of supplier development and sourcing strategy.
• Experience with market analysis, TCO models, and risk management.
• Advanced Excel and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for critical raw materials, ensuring continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, and quality performance.
• Manage procurement categories and identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, reduce costs, and support business growth.
• Conduct market research and supplier assessments to identify new sourcing opportunities and strengthen the supplier portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with suppliers across international markets.
• Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, contracts, terms and conditions, and supplier agreements.
• Monitor commodity markets, pricing trends, and geopolitical developments that may impact supply availability and cost.
• Partner closely with Operations, Technical, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to align procurement activities with business requirements.
• Manage supplier performance through regular reviews, KPI tracking, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, inventory optimisation, and supply chain risk mitigation activities.
• Maintain procurement data within ERP systems and leverage digital tools to improve reporting, market intelligence, and commercial decision-making.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Procurement

Negotiation

Category management

Supplier relationship management

Data analysis

ERP systems

Excel reporting

MCIPS

Tools

ERP systems

Procurement platforms

Job description

Korn Ferry is delighted to be partnering with LCM, a specialist manufacturer and global supplier operating within a highly technical and internationally connected market. With a reputation for quality, innovation, and customer service, LCM works with suppliers and customers across the globe to deliver critical materials that support a range of industrial applications.

As the business continues to grow, they are seeking a Strategic Buyer to join their team and play a key role in developing sourcing strategies, strengthening supplier partnerships, and ensuring the secure supply of critical raw materials.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a globally recognised business at the heart of the rare earth supply chain, where you will directly influence procurement strategy, supplier performance, cost optimisation, and supply chain resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for critical raw materials, ensuring continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, and quality performance.
• Manage procurement categories and identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, reduce costs, and support business growth.
• Conduct market research and supplier assessments to identify new sourcing opportunities and strengthen the supplier portfolio.
• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with suppliers across international markets.
• Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, contracts, terms and conditions, and supplier agreements.
• Monitor commodity markets, pricing trends, and geopolitical developments that may impact supply availability and cost.
• Partner closely with Operations, Technical, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to align procurement activities with business requirements.
• Manage supplier performance through regular reviews, KPI tracking, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, inventory optimisation, and supply chain risk mitigation activities.
• Maintain procurement data within ERP systems and leverage digital tools to improve reporting, market intelligence, and commercial decision-making.

Skills & Experience Required

• Significant experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or purchasing within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements and manage strategic supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of procurement best practices, category management, supplier development, and sourcing strategy.
• Experience analysing commodity markets, supply chain risks, and total cost of ownership models.
• Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to make data-driven procurement decisions.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with ERP systems, procurement platforms, and advanced Excel reporting.
• MCIPS qualified or working towards qualification would be advantageous.
• Experience within metals, specialty chemicals, advanced manufacturing, mining, or raw material procurement environments would be highly beneficial.