Strategic Procurement Buyer: Drive Cost & Quality

Proactive Global; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Proactive Global is recruiting a permanent Buyer for our client based in Milton Keynes. The role involves ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement from approved and new suppliers, with an emphasis on cost, quality, delivery and service.

You will develop sourcing strategies, manage supplier performance, negotiate commercial terms, identify risks, and drive continuous improvement across the supplier base to deliver best value and total cost of ownership.

Qualifications

• Proven purchasing/procurement experience.
• Excellent negotiation and commercial skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a results-oriented and professional approach.
• Experience managing supplier performance and developing supplier relationships.
• Good understanding of sourcing, supplier benchmarking, cost analysis and contract negotiation.
• Strong communication and networking skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
• The ability to make sound commercial decisions and work effectively under pressure.
• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for cost reduction, process improvement and risk mitigation.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while working to demanding targets and deadlines.
• A collaborative mindset and a strong commitment to achieving business objectives.
• A positive attitude and enthusiasm for working as part of a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate and develop suppliers to meet the current and future requirements of the business.
• Identify potential supply chain risks, prioritise them effectively, and develop and implement appropriate mitigation plans.
• Monitor, report and analyse key supplier KPIs, identifying trends and developing improvement plans where required.
• Manage supplier performance across areas including cost, quality, delivery and service, recognising positive performance while addressing areas requiring improvement.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to promote best practice and continuous improvement.
• Continuously benchmark suppliers and analyse market and pricing trends to ensure competitive commercial outcomes.
• Utilise cost models and detailed cost breakdowns to challenge price increases, identify cost-saving opportunities and deliver the best overall value and total cost of ownership.
• Identify and develop new suppliers to support cost reduction, quality improvement and enhanced service levels.
• Support a strategic category management approach, including spend consolidation, supplier rationalisation and process simplification.
• Monitor requisition accuracy and completeness, ensuring purchasing requirements are clearly defined and fulfilled efficiently.
• Proactively manage and expedite orders where required to ensure on-time delivery.
• Support supplier scouting and sourcing activities where existing suppliers are unable to meet agreed KPI requirements.
• Contribute to effective supplier risk management and business continuity planning.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Supplier management

Cost analysis

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Procurement strategy

Job description

Proactive Global is recruiting a permanent Buyer for our client based in Milton Keynes. The role involves ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement from approved and new suppliers, with an emphasis on cost, quality, delivery and service.

You will develop sourcing strategies, manage supplier performance, negotiate commercial terms, identify risks, and drive continuous improvement across the supplier base to deliver best value and total cost of ownership.