Technical Buyer

Cooper Golding; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the North Devon area is seeking a Technical Buyer to manage sourcing of various components and support strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation skills and experience in procurement and supplier management, contributing to cost reduction and compliance with contracts.

Qualifications

• Experience in subcontract management.
• Ability to analyse quotations from suppliers.
• Experience in purchasing mechanical and electronic components.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing mechanical and electronic components.
• Negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Implementing cost reduction activities.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Education

CIPS qualifications

Degree in Business Studies

Degree in Electronics

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

Job description

Technical Buyer
North Devon
Permanent
Salary GBP40k

Accountability

• Sourcing of mechanical and electronic components, sub contract parts, assemblies and printed circuit boards
• Delivery of VA/VE solutions generated through supplier collaboration
• Interface with Engineering to ensure support to new product introduction (NPI)
• Management of the strategic sourcing process
• Development & improvement of commodity performance through analysis and supplier selection
• Work with the purchasing & legal departments to facilitate implementation of supplier agreements that will drive total cost & inventory reduction strategies
• Management of supplier contract compliance
• Ensure excellent customer quality and delivery service levels while driving improved supplier performance
• Forecasting price trends and their impact on future activities

Main Tasks

• Purchasing for specific projects and responding to engineering change requirements, and ordering the required components in line with engineering releases and required timescales
• Identify suitable suppliers and monitor their performance and competitiveness, negotiate the price of technical products ensuring the best acquisition cost
• Initiate, supervise and track communication between R&D/NPI and suppliers
• Interrogate systems and KPI s to measure, control and improve company purchasing spends
• Benchmark current supply base to prove cost/quality competitiveness
• Implement cost down activities across all areas of organization including make or buy and non-production items
• Develop commodity business activity plans in line with agreed targets on cost reduction, quality and delivery
• Manage the rationalisation of supplier base and introduce supplier development programmes for key suppliers
• Manage cost down and continuous improvement programmes in purchasing
• Actively develop the use of tendering processes to locate and secure the best possible sources of supply
• Ensure systems are in place to effectively manage established supplier contracts
• Negotiate contracts with current/new supply base and issue blanket PO s to successful vendors
• Actively promote world class purchasing standards and techniques for the business with a focus on continuous improvement
• Ensure compliance with Contracts & Procurement policies and procedures

Particular Knowledge/Practical Experience

• Ability to think strategically with an innovative approach to problem solving
• Excellent negotiation skills with proven track record of cost reduction through use of appropriate strategic purchasing tools
• Experience in subcontract management
• Ability to engage in basic contract negotiations and develop contracts in standard form; create basic project plans and manage source plan and implementation across functions and sites
• Spreadsheet skills and proficient use of Microsoft Office products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and ERP systems experience required to support procurement decision making
• CIPS qualifications desirable or equivalent degree in Business Studies, Electronics or Mechanical Engineering
• Ability to analyse and evaluate quotations submitted by potential suppliers to assure that the quality, quantity, delivery terms, and costs are acceptable.
• Excellent communication skills required with the ability to communicate appropriately with all levels
• Must have the ability to handle complex problems, make sound decisions and work independently under the pressure of a heavy workload with significant time restrictions
• Experience in purchasing mechanical and electronic components and assemblies
• Have a strong understanding of technical drawings and bills of materials and possess a knowledge of precision manufacturing processes
• Confident in negotiating price / lead time balance in order to maximise value

Please contact Andy (phone number removed) at Cooper Golding for further information