Senior Buyer

Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group; Waterford; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group is seeking a Senior Buyer in Waterford on a 12-month fixed-term contract to secure critical raw materials for production and to oversee supplier performance.

The ideal candidate will have a degree or diploma in Purchasing/Materials Management, 10+ years’ procurement experience in manufacturing, and strong skills in negotiation, supplier management and MRP/ERP systems.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Purchasing, Materials Management, Supply Chain or related discipline.
• Ideally 10+ years' procurement experience in manufacturing.
• Strong direct materials procurement in a cGMP-regulated environment.
• Proven MRP experience; knowledge of ERP/Lx would be advantageous.
• Excellent negotiation, supplier management and commercial skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement of key raw materials and components to support production requirements.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels, optimising working capital.
• Provide accurate forecasts and supply requirements to vendors.
• Lead RFQs and regular competitive benchmarking activities.
• Negotiate and implement supply agreements with key vendors.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving and cost-avoidance initiatives.
• Support New Product Introductions (NPI) and product rationalisation.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Commercial skills

MRP experience

ERP systems

Education

Degree or Diploma in Purchasing, Materials Management, Supply Chain

Tools

ERP systems

MRP

Job description

Location: Waterford | Pharmaceutical / Medical Technology Sector

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Buyer on a 12-month fixed-term contract with a leading organisation within the pharmaceutical and medical technology sector, based in Waterford.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Procurement, this is a key role within the procurement function, responsible for ensuring the timely and cost-effective supply of critical raw materials and components to support plant production.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the procurement of key raw materials and components to support production requirements.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels, ensuring continuity of supply while optimising working capital.
• Provide accurate forecasts and supply requirements to vendors.
• Lead RFQs and regular competitive benchmarking activities.
• Manage supplier performance, focusing on reliability, schedule adherence, lead times, cost reduction and inventory optimisation.
• Negotiate and implement supply agreements with key vendors.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving and cost-avoidance initiatives.
• Manage supplier evaluation programmes across areas of responsibility.
• Support New Product Introductions (NPI) and product rationalisation activities.
• Work closely with Planning and Operations to ensure MRP master data is accurate and maintained.
• Support the Financial Planning process and wider procurement objectives.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with cGMP and applicable quality requirements.
• Provide leadership and mentorship within the procurement team and provide support and cover for the Procurement Manager when required.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Degree or Diploma in Purchasing, Materials Management, Supply Chain or a related discipline.
• Ideally 10+ years' procurement experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience in direct materials procurement, ideally within a cGMP-regulated environment.
• Proven MRP experience; knowledge of ERP/Lx would be advantageous.
• Excellent negotiation, supplier management and commercial skills.