Buyer required to join a small purchasing team for a global organisation. Reporting to the Purchasing Manager the Buyer will manage spend on various categories across multiple manufacturing sites taking a sustainable supplier centric approach.
This role involves strategic negotiation, risk management, and vendor relationship development to ensure a smooth flow of materials and successful delivery of customer orders. The Buyer will also collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements, support New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI), and manage supplier performance to meet Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Key Responsibilities:
- Category Management: Manage spend across various categories, ensuring alignment with sustainability goals and supporting multiple manufacturing sites.
- Supplier Negotiation: Negotiate stock holding agreements and other mechanisms to ensure a smooth flow of materials and minimise disruptions in production.
- Supply Chain Risk Mitigation: Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, ensuring customer order delivery success and minimising impact from parts shortages or delays.
- Parts Availability Communication: Effectively communicate any risks related to parts availability and explore all options for resolution, taking appropriate actions to prevent disruptions.
- Purchase Order Management: Place purchase orders for system-driven manufacturing materials and requisitioned parts, ensuring timely delivery and stock replenishment.
- Process Improvement: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements, driving efficiency and productivity within the procurement function.
- Supplier Development: Work closely with suppliers to support the achievement of KPIs, driving continuous improvement in quality, delivery, and cost performance.
- Vendor Performance Management: Monitor and manage vendor performance, including participation in supplier audits and taking corrective actions when necessary.
- Supplier Sourcing: Identify potential new suppliers and negotiate favourable terms with both existing and new suppliers to optimise cost and quality.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders at all levels to ensure effective communication and alignment on procurement strategies.
- NPD/NPI Support: Actively participate in New Product Development (NPD), New Product Introduction (NPI), and engineering change activities, coordinating suppliers and stock requirements.
- Customer Support: Provide procurement support to strategic customers, ensuring their needs are met through effective supplier and material management.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in procurement or buying roles, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong negotiation skills and experience in managing supplier relationships.
- Ability to identify and mitigate supply chain risks, with a focus on maximising customer satisfaction.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.
- Experience with New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) processes is preferred.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to drive process improvements.
- Proficient in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.