A leading innovator in the outdoor leisure sector is seeking a Senior Buyer to join their expanding team in Southampton. This role offers the opportunity to manage a varied global procurement portfolio while working with a team focused on quality, efficiency, and strong collaboration. With regular international travel, it provides both challenge and scope for an experienced buyer looking to make a meaningful impact.
Join a forward-thinking organisation where your expertise will support operational performance and key stakeholder outcomes. Enjoy international supplier management and the chance to contribute within a supportive, inclusive environment.
What you’ll do
* Manage sourcing of finished goods and sub-components from a global supplier network.
* Negotiate commercial terms with international manufacturers, ensuring strict quality and compliance standards.
* Conduct regular factory visits overseas to oversee production, tooling, and quality control.
* Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support long-term commercial success.
* Analyse cost structures across multiple SKUs and perform benchmarking and scenario planning for cost or freight changes.
* Draft and review supplier contracts aligned with commercial and legal requirements.
* Oversee tooling development, pre-production samples, and factory QC procedures.
* Collaborate with internal teams to support timely, seamless product launches.
* Troubleshoot production delays, quality concerns, and supply chain disruptions.
* Monitor supplier performance to drive improvements in cost efficiency, quality, and delivery timelines.
What you bring
1. 10+ year’s experience senior buying roles within outdoor leisure or related consumer product sectors.
2. Strong background sourcing finished goods and technical components from global suppliers, particularly in Asia.
3. Experience conducting international factory visits and developing reliable supplier partnerships.
4. Advanced negotiation skills covering pricing, payment terms, MOQs, warranties, tooling agreements, landed costs, and freight.
5. Expertise in drafting detailed international supplier contracts.
6. Strong analytical ability with advanced Excel skills for cost analysis, benchmarking, and forecasting.
7. Knowledge of tooling development, sampling procedures, and factory QC standards.
8. Experience supporting e-commerce product lifecycles and onboarding new items to digital platforms.
9. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; Mandarin is beneficial but not required.
10. Highly organised, detail-oriented, and collaborative approach to managing complex procurement portfolios.
If this sounds like you, apply now!
Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates
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