Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.
At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Site Buyer – Indirects
Are you a resourceful procurement professional who thrives in a fast‑paced engineering or manufacturing environment? Do you bring strong CAPEX procurement experience, commercial acumen, and a passion for delivering value?
If so, we want to hear from you.
About the Role
As our Site Buyer – Indirects, you’ll play a key role in managing the procurement of indirect goods and services across our UK plants. You’ll partner closely with site teams, regional category managers, and suppliers to ensure we secure high‑quality products and services at the best value—while upholding Synthomer’s commitment to SHE, ethics, and sustainability. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious procurement professional wanting to make a real impact in a dynamic, international organisation.
What You’ll Be Doing
1. Own and manage the procurement process for assigned indirect spend categories—from vendor sourcing through to contract execution.
2. Collaborate with key stakeholders, ensuring site requirements are delivered on time, within budget, and to specification.
3. Benchmark performance and identify opportunities by working closely with local and regional procurement teams.
4. Champion preferred suppliers, nurturing strong, value-driven relationships while resolving any supplier performance issues.
5. Oversee transactional procurement using SAP and Ariba, ensuring smooth PR-to-PO flow and invoice resolution.
6. Lead negotiations to secure optimal terms, conditions, and commercial value.
7. Participate in local and group projects, balancing functional requirements with economic impact.
8. Embed SHE compliance and sustainability into every procurement activity.
9. Stay ahead of the curve by promoting innovation and exploring new technologies in the market.
What You’ll Bring
10. A Diploma or Degree in a relevant field.
11. 5+ years of procurement experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment essential
12. Strong background in CAPEX
13. Solid understanding of transactional purchasing and basic accounting principles.
14. Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
15. A proactive, analytical mindset with a commitment to delivering best‑value procurement.
16. Familiarity with SAP and Ariba is advantageous.
Why Synthomer?
At Synthomer, you’ll be part of an innovative, collaborative, and international team that is shaping the future of sustainable materials. We offer opportunities for professional growth, meaningful work, and a culture where your ideas truly matter. Join us and help drive a more efficient, sustainable, and value‑focused procurement function across our UK operations.
🌍 Global Benefits Overview
17. 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation
18. 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme
19. 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions
20. 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role
21. 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations
22. 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)
23. 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs
24. 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
25. 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
26. 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country
27. 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive
28. 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes