Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer

Salary: £38,000 - £45,000 (depending on experience)
Location: Office-based in Hook with regular supplier site visits

About the Role

We're looking for a proactive and commercially driven Senior Buyer to take a leading role in managing procurement across a diverse and technically interesting product range.

This is a key position focused on ensuring a reliable supply of components while driving improvements in supplier performance, cost effectiveness, and overall quality.

You'll take full ownership of supplier relationships-overseeing the onboarding of new vendors, optimising the existing supply base, and building strategic partnerships that support long-term business goals. The product portfolio includes electronic components, motors, fixings, load cells, and other mechanical products.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and nurture strategic partnerships with key suppliers, driving continuous improvements in quality, cost efficiency, and delivery performance.
• Develop a deep understanding of supplier manufacturing processes and commodity markets to anticipate challenges and champion process enhancements aligned with QCD (Quality, Cost, Delivery) objectives.
• Conduct supplier audits, monthly performance reviews, and manage Vendor Scorecards for key partners.
• Identify and mitigate supplier risks, developing robust contingency plans to ensure supply chain resilience.
• Source, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers across the product range, optimising the supply base to support strategic business goals.
• Implement purchasing strategies-manage call-off orders, agree pricing breaks, and oversee supplier stock holding arrangements.
• Collaborate with internal teams to manage non-conforming materials, ensuring corrective actions are documented, implemented, and closed out effectively.
• Benchmark products across multiple suppliers and select appropriate vendors based on QCD performance.
• Maintain efficient stock levels in line with MRP, production, and customer delivery schedules.
• Lead business-wide change initiatives, coordinating cross-functional departments and mitigating commercial risks.
• Drive continuous improvement across procurement processes and systems.

Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience

• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Proven experience in procurement within a low-volume, high-variance manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with strong Excel skills.
• Experience with SAP is advantageous but not essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to build productive relationships at all levels.
• Understanding of procurement best practices and continuous improvement principles.

Behavioural Qualities

• Self-aware, open, and honest in all dealings.
• A proactive change agent with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Resilient, optimistic, and pragmatic under pressure.
• Confident, assertive, and composed.
• Collaborative and solutions-focused, engaging effectively across teams.