Strategic Buyer - Manufacturing

Vickerstock; Lisburn; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Vickerstock in Lisburn, United Kingdom, seeks a Strategic Buyer to enhance supply chain efficiency through data-driven procurement and cost reductions. You will manage supplier relationships and align purchasing with group policy.

This role requires manufacturing purchasing experience, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to analyse large data sets to drive optimal stock levels and total cost of ownership across externally sourced components.

Qualifications

• 3+ years manufacturing purchasing experience.
• Strategic procurement/international sourcing experience.
• Strong analytical ability with large data sets.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Positive, proactive attitude.

Responsibilities

• Optimise procurement costs by setting and achieving year-over-year savings targets based on spend analysis.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to identify cost-saving opportunities and implement cost-control measures.
• Develop and implement a supplier category plan aligned with the overall procurement strategy.
• Partner with the Supply Chain team to strengthen relationships with both new and existing suppliers.
• Leverage sales demand data, market trends, and analytics to maintain optimal stock levels.
• Support the development and execution of the procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with broader business goals and achievement of all procurement KPIs.
• Contribute to the New Product Introduction (NPI) process to secure the lowest total cost of ownership for externally sourced components.

Skills

Procurement

Data analysis

Cost reduction

Supplier relationships

Category management

Negotiation

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Vickerstock are working in partnership with an innovative and growing manufacturingbusiness on the appointment of a Strategic Buyer on a full-time permanent basis.

As the Strategic Buyer you will enhance supply chain efficiency by leveraging data collection and analysis to achieve substantial cost savings and maintain optimal inventory levels in line with group policy. This role demands strong attention to detail, a proven ability to drive cost reductions, and a solid understanding of operational supply chain management.

In your new role:

• Optimise procurement costs by setting and achieving year-over-year savings targets based on spend analysis.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to identify cost‑saving opportunities and implement cost‑control measures.
• Develop and implement a supplier category plan aligned with the overall procurement strategy.
• Partner with the Supply Chain team to strengthen relationships with both new and existing suppliers.
• Leverage sales demand data, market trends, and analytics to maintain optimal stock levels.
• Support the development and execution of the procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with broader business goals and achievement of all procurement KPIs.
• Contribute to the New Product Introduction (NPI) process to secure the lowest total cost of ownership for externally sourced components.

What you will need to succeed:

• Strong background in manufacturing purchasing (ideally 3 years).
• Strategic procurement/international sourcing experience.
• Problem solving skills with the ability to analyse and create large data sets
• Strong negotiation and rapport‑building skills
• Positive 'can do' attitude.