Technical Buyer (Outsourced Manufacturing _ Point of Sale Materials), Any UK

Purpose of the job

As aTechnical Buyer, you will actively work on and be responsible for the execution of Permanent Point of Sale Materials (POSM) and Retail Fixtures + Fittings for our market-leading client brands and retailers.

Using your product / materials knowledge and market intelligence, you'll research potential new suppliers globally and working with relevant stakeholders you'll ensure effective handovers and multi-party engagement as part of project implementations.

This role is for an experienced buyer who is comfortable with sourcing 3rd party manufacturing / assembly capability, operating from technical drawings and is familiar with production materials including wood, metal, plastic (fabricated, vacuum formed + injection molded) and the integration of electronic parts such as lighting and screens.

The role(s) can be based in most Europe / EMEA locations with preference for Poland, Czechia, UK and Türkiye.

Key responsibilities Commercial

• Adding true value to projects, challenging the norms to ensure growth within the category
• You are accountable for contractually compliant pricing and guaranteed execution at the highest levels
• Involving analytics in tenders and complex RFQs
• Reviewing the results in consultation with the team, proposing the best-in-class solution
• Work with HH Global Client Engagement teams to ensure that savings targets are met or exceeded in nominated accounts
• Meeting or exceeding the category KPIs

Operational

• Working with Client Engagement, Design and Engineering teams to ensure we have all the technical drawings and BOM per project and a clear brief, timings, locations, exports globally etc
• Ensure pricing and supply chain are suitable for each project
• Compiling of the RFQ documents for tenders, sending out to suppliers and liaising with them on the details
• Work with analytics to collate, aggregate and present the outcome of the tender with recommendations
• Use the best supplier / best price/ best logistics route, with freight / duties and tariffs globally
• Ensure Client Engagement teams have all the necessary information to present to client and confirm any final adjustments and subsequent cost changes if applicable
• Produce CPAs, confirm tooling contracts, and ensure client engagement communicate clearly to manage client expectations
• Manage the project execution through prototyping and signoff for production
• Thereafter, hand over to job managers for POs, execution of production, freight, warehousing etc
• Handover all technical aspects of each project including the quality control documentation, to the QC team / suppliers
• Move production of products and services from incumbent suppliers to new vendors, when and where appropriate
• Source from direct manufacturers wherever possible, removing agents and third parties from the supply chain

Knowledge, skills + experience

• Technical Buying experience and the ability to read technical drawings
• Experience of sourcing outsourced manufacturing capacity and where appropriate, assessing options to split production of a display by material
• Knowledge of materials and production processes including wood, metal, plastic (fabricated, vacuum formed + injection molded)
• Experience in Permanent POSM and Retail Display / Fittings or a sector and product that is obviously comparable
• Skilled in managing RFQ and tender processes from specification to award
• Familiarity with quality standards and inspection requirements
• The ability to negotiate at all levels
• Experience of business process re-engineering and procurement outsourcing
• Demonstrate highly developed relationship management skills with the ability to work within cross-functional teams (Engineering, Design, Production Management + Client Engagement)
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• High levels of Excel, numeracy and analytical ability
• A good level of spoken and written English