Strategic Buyer

Collide Joinery Recruitment; Poole; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent, full-time

Job summary

Collide Technical Recruitment are recruiting on behalf of a well-established aerospace and precision engineering company for an experienced Strategic Buyer to join their Purchasing team in Poole, Dorset. This full-time, permanent role starts January 2027 and focuses on developing supplier relationships and supplier performance across the supply chain.

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will own strategic supplier management, drive cost, quality and delivery improvements, and collaborate

Qualifications

• Previous experience as Strategic Buyer, Senior Buyer or in Procurement.
• Experience building and developing supplier relationships.
• Strong negotiation and commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance with the Quality team.
• Negotiate LTAs and contracts with key suppliers with Director approval.
• Identify opportunities to reduce supplier costs while minimising risk.
• Provide long-term forecast information to suppliers.
• Lead supplier review meetings and supplier site visits.
• Maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL) and manage NDAs.
• Support sustainability and Scope 3 carbon reduction initiatives.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Supplier relationship development

Job description

Strategic Buyer

Location: Poole, Dorset

Salary: Competitive (DOE)

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Start Date: January 2027

Please note: This position is available for a January 2027 start.

Strategic Buyer – Aerospace & Precision Engineering

Collide Technical Recruitment are recruiting on behalf of our client, a well-established precision engineering business supplying the Aerospace and Defence sectors, for an experienced Strategic Buyer to join their Purchasing team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to play a key role in developing supplier relationships, reducing supply chain risk and supporting long-term business growth.

The Role

Reporting to the Managing Director, you'll take ownership of strategic supplier management, developing long-term partnerships with key suppliers whilst driving improvements in cost, quality, delivery and overall supplier performance.

You’ll work closely with internal departments including Supply Chain, Quality and Production to ensure a resilient and high-performing supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Monitor, measure and improve supplier performance in partnership with the Quality team.
• Negotiate long-term agreements (LTAs) and contracts with key suppliers, subject to Director approval.
• Identify opportunities to reduce supplier costs whilst minimising supply chain risk.
• Provide long-term forecast information to suppliers.
• Lead supplier review meetings both internally and on supplier sites.
• Complete annual supplier risk assessments and implement improvement plans where required.
• Maintain and update the Approved Supplier List (ASL).
• Manage supplier Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
• Support Scope 3 carbon reduction initiatives across the supply chain.
• Contribute towards the company's wider sustainability and carbon reduction objectives.
• Ensure ethics and compliance requirements are communicated throughout the supply chain.
• Provide support to the Technical Buyer, including raising purchase orders and RFQs during periods of absence.

About You

• Previous experience in a Strategic Buyer, Senior Buyer or Procurement role.
• Experience building and developing supplier relationships.
• Strong negotiation and commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience conducting supplier performance reviews and supplier audits.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement and supply chain development.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Desirable

• Previous experience within the Aerospace, Defence or Precision Engineering sectors.
• Knowledge of supplier quality systems and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with long-term supplier agreements and contract negotiation.

What's on Offer

• Permanent, full-time position.
• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Opportunity to join a growing precision engineering business.
• Long-term career development.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.