Manufacturing Buyer

Mansell Recruitment Group Plc; Dartford; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

25 days annual leave plus bank holiday

Ongoing training and professional dev.

Career progression

Job summary

Mansell Recruitment Group Plc is seeking a Technical Buyer to join a busy Supply Chain team in the UK. You will procure materials, components and subcontract services to support production, while maintaining strong supplier relationships and driving cost improvements.

The role collaborates with Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing and Sales to optimise supplier performance, manage MRP outputs, and contribute to lean initiatives such as Kanban.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within a Buyer, Purchasing or Supply Chain role in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems.
• Good understanding of modern purchasing and inventory management techniques, including JIT and Kanban.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships across multiple departments.
• Good commercial awareness with a proactive approach to cost reduction.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage the procurement of materials, components and subcontract services to support production requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, driving improvements in cost, quality and delivery performance.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times and commercial agreements with suppliers.
• Monitor MRP outputs and ensure purchase orders are placed in line with production demand.
• Work closely with Engineering and Sales to support new product introduction and identify cost-effective sourcing solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory management through lean supply chain techniques, including Kanban and buffer stock strategies.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement continuous improvement plans where required.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and ERP data.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier relationship management

Procurement planning

Cost reduction

Communication

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Education

CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS

Tools

Excel

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Our client is a well-established engineering and manufacturing business supplying high-quality products to customers across a range of technical industries. With a strong reputation for quality, innovation and customer service, they offer a collaborative working environment and excellent opportunities for long-term career development.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Technical Buyer to join a busy Supply Chain team. You will be responsible for ensuring the timely and cost-effective procurement of materials, components and subcontract services, supporting production schedules while maintaining strong supplier relationships.

Working closely with Planning, Engineering, Manufacturing and Sales, you will play a key role in optimising supplier performance, negotiating commercial agreements and driving continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the procurement of materials, components and subcontract services to support production requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, driving improvements in cost, quality and delivery performance.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times and commercial agreements with suppliers.
• Monitor MRP outputs and ensure purchase orders are placed in line with production demand.
• Work closely with Engineering and Sales to support new product introduction and identify cost-effective sourcing solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory management through lean supply chain techniques, including Kanban and buffer stock strategies.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement continuous improvement plans where required.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and ERP data.

Skills & Experience

Previous experience within a Buyer, Purchasing or Supply Chain role in a manufacturing or engineering environment.

Experience using ERP/MRP systems.

Good understanding of modern purchasing and inventory management techniques, including JIT and Kanban.

Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships across multiple departments.

Good commercial awareness with a proactive approach to cost reduction.

Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS would be advantageous.

The Package

Up to £37,000

Company pension.

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Ongoing training and professional development.

Stable, supportive working environment.

Opportunities for career progression within a growing engineering business.