365 People are recruiting on behalf of a well-established precision engineering and manufacturing business supplying into highly regulated sectors including aerospace, automotive and defence.
We are looking for an experienced Buyer / Technical Buyer to take ownership of the full purchasing function within a fast-paced engineering environment.
This is a hands-on, commercially focused position where you will manage supplier negotiations, RFQs, purchase orders, delivery expediting and cost control across a broad range of engineering materials, components and subcontract services.
You will work at the heart of operations, ensuring production has what it needs, when it needs it, while driving supplier performance and protecting commercial margins.
If you are a procurement professional who enjoys technical purchasing, supplier management, order coordination and negotiating best value in a manufacturing setting, this is the role for you.
Opportunity
This position offers genuine autonomy and visibility across the business.
You will be the central point between suppliers, production, operations and finance, ensuring all purchasing activity runs efficiently from initial enquiry right through to invoice approval.
The successful candidate will have responsibility for:
* sourcing cost-effective materials and services,
* negotiating supplier terms,
* expediting urgent orders,
* managing live delivery schedules,
* identifying savings,
* and ensuring the purchasing process supports operational output at all times.
This is a business-critical role where strong organisation, commercial awareness and supplier control are key.
Key Responsibility
• Preparing and issuing RFQs across raw materials, engineered components and subcontract requirements
• Reviewing supplier quotations and benchmarking pricing to ensure best commercial value
• Negotiating supplier costs, lead times and purchasing terms
• Raising and managing purchase orders from enquiry through to delivery and payment approval
• Expediting suppliers and monitoring order progress against production deadlines
• Resolving supply chain delays, shortages, discrepancies and urgent order amendments
• Building strong supplier relationships to support long-term operational needs
• Monitoring supplier performance, service levels and cost efficiency
• Working closely with production, operations and finance to ensure smooth order flow
• Maintaining accurate purchasing documentation, pricing records and order history
• Analysing spend trends, pricing movement and supply risks to identify improvement opportunities
• Supporting continuous improvement across procurement processes and supplier efficiencies
Candidate Requirements
We are looking for somebody who can confidently manage multiple live orders, supplier relationships and commercial decisions in a busy engineering or manufacturing environment.
You will ideally have:
• Previous experience as a Buyer, Technical Buyer, Procurement Coordinator, Purchasing Lead or Senior Purchasing Administrator
• Experience managing RFQs, supplier quotations and purchase order control
• Strong supplier negotiation and commercial cost awareness
• Experience expediting orders against production deadlines
• Excellent organisational skills and high attention to detail
• Ability to communicate confidently with suppliers and internal departments
• Strong systems experience across ERP, MRP or purchasing software
• A proactive mindset with the ability to resolve issues quickly
Desirable Industry Backgrounds
Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with purchasing or procurement experience within:
• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Defence
• Military