Senior Buyer

Overview

Senior Buyer - Engineering / Manufacturing – Manchester – £45,000 - £55,000 + benefits – Permanent

We're working with a growing engineering and manufacturing business in Manchester that's looking to add a Senior Buyer to its procurement team during a major programme of expansion and production ramp-up.

This is a genuinely strategic role, owning key supplier relationships across the UK and Europe and playing a critical part in building a robust, agile and cost-effective supply chain.

As Senior Buyer, you'll take full ownership of several key categories and suppliers, managing the full procurement lifecycle including:

• Developing and delivering procurement strategies for high-value and critical suppliers
• Sourcing and awarding contracts for goods and services based on quality, cost and delivery
• Building and managing long-term strategic supplier relationships
• Leading commercial negotiations to secure best price, lead time and terms
• Driving cost saving and cost avoidance initiatives
• Managing supplier performance, reviews, KPIs and continuous improvement actions
• Resolving supply chain issues across quality, delivery, technical and commercial topics
• Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks
• Working closely with Engineering, Programmes and Manufacturing to ensure BOM and schedule alignment
• Supporting design changes, obsolescence and development programmes
• Representing Procurement in project and programme meetings

Essential:

• Proven experience in Procurement / Supply Chain / Buying
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Confident using Excel for analysis and reporting
• Commercially aware with the ability to assess risk in supplier proposals
• Able to read engineering drawings and understand BOM structures
• Organised, proactive, detail-focused and comfortable working to deadlines

Desirable:

• Background in engineering or manufacturing environments
• Degree or CIPS Level 4+

• Confident, credible and able to build strong relationships internally and externally
• Proactive and self-motivated - someone who likes to get things done
• Team-oriented, supportive and collaborative
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing environment