Engineering & Consumables Buyer
Location: Flint
Salary: £45,000–£50,000 + benefits
Contract: Permanent, full-time, onsite (hybrid considered after 3 months)
About the Company
Our client is a global manufacturing business supplying essential products to households and businesses worldwide. With continued investment across their UK operations, they are now looking to strengthen their procurement function with the appointment of an Engineering & Consumables Buyer.
The Role
Reporting to the Purchasing Director, this role will support UK manufacturing sites through the procurement of engineering parts, consumables, and services.
The position has a 50:50 split between:
Engineering parts and machinery buying, and Commercial procurement activity, including tendering, negotiation, and supplier agreements across engineering and non-engineering spend.
You’ll work closely with Engineering Managers, Factory Managers, and site-based Stores Assistants to ensure critical parts and services are available, cost-effective, and supplied under robust commercial agreements.
Key Responsibilities
* Purchase and replenish engineering spares and components, supporting approx. £2m of rolling stock.
* Procure machinery, engineering parts, and consumables across UK sites.
* Run competitive procurement exercises, including RFQs and tenders, typically obtaining multiple quotations and evaluating best value.
* Negotiate pricing, terms, and longer-term supply agreements with suppliers.
* Develop and manage supplier partnerships across engineering parts, consumables, and services.
* Support procurement of consumables, PPE, H&S products, and site services.
* Work with engineering and operations teams on stock strategy, obsolescence, and continuity of supply.
* Use ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing, reporting, and stock control.
* Identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities.
* Ensure compliance with company policies, governance, and H&S standards.
* Travel to the Wigan site as required (typically a couple of times per month).
About You
We’re looking for a proven buyer with strong commercial awareness who is comfortable operating across both engineering procurement and tender-led purchasing.
Essential:
* Proven experience as a Buyer in manufacturing, engineering, or a similar environment.
* Hands-on experience buying engineering parts, components, or machinery.
* Strong experience running RFQs/tenders, obtaining multiple quotes, and negotiating supplier agreements.
* Confident negotiating pricing, contracts, and long-term supply arrangements.
* Solid supplier relationship management skills.
* ERP/MRP system experience (SAP, QAD, Oracle or similar).
* Strong stakeholder communication skills.
Desirable:
* Experience managing service contracts.
* Knowledge of maintenance or engineering environments.
* Background in FMCG, food manufacturing, or a regulated industry.
* Exposure to procurement strategy development.
Package & Benefits
* £45,000–£50,000 salary
* Up to 10% non-guaranteed bonus
* Pension contribution starting at 5%, rising to 9% after 5 years
* 24/7 GP access