Senior Buyer
Location: Mansfield
Salary: £42,000 plus car allowance and benefits
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility required
Are you a seasoned procurement professional with extensive experience in material buying, planning, and supply chain management? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment and have a passion for optimizing inventory and supplier relationships? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
About the Role
As the Senior Buyer, you will play a crucial role in the ongoing procurement of materials, components, and equipment. You will be responsible for planning requirements and managing the supply chain to ensure timely deliveries aligned with customer demand. In addition, you will deputise for the Head of Supply Chain, providing support and guidance to the Purchasing Team as needed.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership and Strategy: Own and cascade company objectives for the Purchasing department, holding regular meetings to present the status on key projects.
- Procurement Planning: Plan, schedule, and monitor goods and services to meet production requirements using techniques such as JIT, Kanban, and Blanket POs.
- Inventory Management: Ensure accurate ordering and timely delivery of raw materials, components, and production supplies. Manage inventory and safety stock levels to optimize service performance.
- Data Management: Set up and maintain material, supplier, and planning system data in the MRP/ERP system.
- Problem Solving: Perform Root Cause Counter Measure when shortages occur and develop action plans to address material availability or limitations.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Manage relationships with engineering, production, intercompany sales, and operations functions, elevating issues as needed.
- Performance Analysis: Use Excel to create pivot charts and identify key areas for supplier performance improvements.
- Supplier Coordination: Work with supply base to ensure material availability, resolving gaps in availability, capacity, quality, and cost.
- Reporting: Accurately report key measurables such as supplier delivery metrics.
- Negotiation: Negotiate freight costs, Inco terms, and payment terms to improve margin and cash flow.
- Cost Management: Track material markets to support inflationary and cost reduction discussions. Introduce cost-saving or process improvement solutions.
- Compliance: Adhere to all policies and regulations related to product sourcing and promote supplier partnership procedures and practices.
- Continuous Improvement: Seek to develop and improve existing processes, adopting Lean Thinking & Culture.
Skills and Qualifications
- Extensive experience in material buying and planning in a manufacturing or distribution setting.
- Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems.
- Strong background in supply chain management and inventory control.
- Proficiency in MS Office products, particularly Word, Excel, Visio, and Project.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with external partners.
- Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work under ambiguity.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities.
- Proven track record in reducing costs, lead times, and improving delivery terms.
- Strong negotiation skills and experience in framework agreements and understanding of Terms and Conditions.
- General finance/accountancy knowledge is beneficial.
Why Join?
We offer a challenging and rewarding environment where you can make a significant impact. You will work with a dedicated team of professionals committed to excellence and continuous improvement. This role provides opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive and dynamic workplace.
If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and contribute to our success, apply now!
INDH