Job Description
Senior Buyer – £50,000 - hybrid working 2 days WFH
Brand-new role created due to continued business growth
Reed are thrilled to introduce a newly created opportunity for a dynamic and commercially focused Senior Buyer to join an expanding team. This stand-alone role, reporting directly to the Supply Chain Director and supported by a dedicated Purchasing Assistant offers the chance to shape buying strategy, influence key decisions, and make a visible impact across the business.
If you’re a strategic thinker with exceptional negotiation skills and a passion for driving value through smart sourcing and strong supplier partnerships, this is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership and grow with us.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Leading the development and delivery of sourcing strategies across dedicated categories to achieve cost, quality, and delivery goals.
* Managing the full procurement lifecycle: supplier identification, RFQs, negotiations, contract management, and purchase order processing.
* Conducting market and cost analysis to uncover savings and alternative supply opportunities.
* Building and nurturing high-performing supplier relationships, ensuring delivery against agreed KPIs.
* Driving negotiations on contracts, pricing, and commercial terms to maximise value.
* Working closely with Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, and Finance to support operational and strategic objectives.
* Taking the lead in supplier negotiations to secure competitive terms and strong service levels.
* Ensuring all procurement activity aligns with internal policies and relevant regulations.
Essential Experience
* At least 5 years’ procurement experience, including 2–3 years in a senior or strategic buyer position.
* Strong background in sourcing, negotiation, and contract management.
* Demonstrable success in supplier performance management and cost reduction.
* Proficiency with procurement systems
Desirable Qualifications (not essential!)
* Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Procurement, or a related discipline.
* Professional accreditation such as CIPS.
* Training in negotiation (e.g., GAP) and process improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.
What You’ll Bring
* Exceptional analytical thinking and sound decision-making skills.
* A confident and skilled negotiator who builds strong, collaborative supplier relationships.
* Excellent communication skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels.
* A strategic mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.