Technical Buyer

Jigsaw Business Group; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Jigsaw Business Group is seeking an experienced Technical Buyer to join our client’s procurement team in the UK manufacturing sector.

The role focuses on securing metals, engineered components and subcontract services to meet technical specifications and delivery dates.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Technical Buyer in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing metals, engineered components or precision-manufactured products is desirable.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier management and supply chain operations.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems with a disciplined approach to data management.
• Proven ability to manage supplier performance, delivery schedules and quality expectations.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to work collaboratively across Planning, Engineering, Production, Quality and Finance teams.
• Commercial awareness with experience supporting cost control and procurement performance.

Responsibilities

• Convert MRP demand into accurate purchase orders with attached drawings and specs.
• Obtain supplier acknowledgements and confirm delivery dates.
• Raise POs for subcontract machining, fabrication and plating with correct routing.
• Manage offshore supply, logistics coordination and consolidation requirements.
• Expedite overdue orders and escalate supply risks as needed.
• Manage PO amendments, cancellations and related commercial impacts.
• Support invoice and price variance resolution.
• Assist with sourcing activities and cost estimating for Business Development and Tender teams.
• Monitor MRP exceptions to prevent material shortages.
• Maintain ERP item and supplier master data.
• Support procurement KPIs such as OTD and OTIF, expedite performance, supplier quality.
• Build RFQ packs using technical drawings and specifications.
• Support supplier negotiations and pricing records.
• Contribute to supplier performance reviews and development initiatives.
• Assist with dual sourcing strategies and business continuity planning.
• Participate in daily purchasing, weekly supplier reviews and open order book management.
• Maintain EOQ and Minimum Stock Levels.

Skills

Reading drawings

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Communication

Commercial awareness

Prioritisation

Supplier management

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Technical Buyer to join our client’s procurement team, supporting both serial production and bespoke project delivery within a manufacturing environment.

Working closely with Planning, Engineering, Production, Quality and suppliers, you’ll be responsible for securing materials, components and subcontract services on time, in full and to the correct technical specification. You’ll play a key role in ensuring supply continuity, cost control, ERP data accuracy and the development of strong supplier relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Convert MRP demand into accurate purchase orders, ensuring all drawings, specifications and finish instructions are attached.
• Obtain supplier acknowledgements and confirm committed delivery dates.
• Raise purchase orders for subcontract machining, fabrication and plating with the correct routing instructions.
• Manage offshore supply, consolidation requirements and logistics coordination.
• Expedite overdue orders, implement recovery plans and escal ate supply risks where necessary.
• Manage purchase order amendments, cancellations and any associated commercial impacts.
• Support invoice and price variance resolution.
• Assist Business Development and Tender teams with sourcing activities and cost estimating.
• Monitor MRP exceptions to prevent material shortages.
• Maintain accurate item and supplier master data within the ERP system.
• Support procurement KPIs including On-Time Delivery (OTD), On-Time In-Full (OTIF), expedite performance, supplier quality and inventory accuracy.
• Build RFQ (Request for Quotation) packs using technical drawings and engineering specifications.
• Support supplier negotiations and maintain pricing records.
• Contribute to supplier performance reviews, scorecards and supplier development initiatives.
• Assist with dual sourcing strategies and business continuity planning.
• Participate in daily purchasing activities, weekly supplier reviews and open order book management.
• Maintain inventory planning parameters including EOQ (Economic Order Quantity) and Minimum Stock Levels (MSL).

Requirements

• Previous experience as a Technical Buyer or Buyer within a high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing metals, engineered components or precision-manufactured products is highly desirable.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier management and supply chain operations.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems with a disciplined approach to data management.
• Proven ability to manage supplier performance, delivery schedules and quality expectations.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to work collaboratively across Planning, Engineering, Production, Quality and Finance teams.
• Commercial awareness with experience supporting cost control and procurement performance.

If you’re an organised and proactive procurement professional with strong technical buying experience and enjoy working in a fast-paced engineering or manufacturing environment, we’d love to hear from you.