Buyer / Procurement Specialist
Location: Leicester
Hourly Rate: £17.31
Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:00
Employment Type: Full‑time ongoing temporary
About the Buyer / Procurement Specialist Role
We are seeking a proactive and detail driven Buyer / Procurement Specialist to join a fast paced Supply Chain team. You will play a key role in managing material availability, optimising supplier performance, and supporting operational excellence across the business. This role is ideal for someone who thrives under pressure, communicates confidently, and enjoys working cross functionally to solve problems and deliver results.
Buyer / Procurement Specialist Key Responsibilities
Material & Order Management
* Evaluates and acts upon MRP requirements, generating and adjusting purchase orders to meet demand levels.
* Inputs, maintains and updates ERP transactions to ensure data accuracy and system integrity.
* Handles quotes, places PO's and follows up with suppliers, managing PO related issues and schedule changes.
* Expedites and de expedites materials to maintain optimal inventory levels.
Supplier Management & Communication
* Communicates forecast requirements clearly to suppliers while maintaining strong, collaborative relationships.
* Objectively measures and reports supplier performance to support continuous improvement.
* Works closely with Suppliers, Quality, Strategic Sourcing and Engineering to resolve quality, delivery and cost issues quickly.
* Manages challenging or sensitive supplier conversations with professionalism and confidence.
Inventory, Cost & Process Improvement
* Drives increased inventory turns, reduced cycle times and improved customer OTD through pull based replenishment processes, including VMI and consignment stock.
* Supports initiatives to eliminate excess and obsolete stock and rationalise similar parts.
* Participates in Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen events to reduce waste and improve performance across the supply chain.
Cross Functional Support
* Provides effective support to New Product Introduction (NPI) teams, proposal development and subcontracting opportunities.
* Ensures timely resolution of shipping discrepancies, receiving errors, invoice issues and PO adjustments.
* Engenders a spirit of cooperation across the supply chain to ensure responsiveness to customer needs.
Buyer / Procurement Specialist Skills & Competencies
* Strong analytical, problem solving and fact based decision making skills.
* Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise effectively under pressure.
* Confident negotiator with the ability to manage complex or sensitive discussions.
* Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence across all levels.
* A positive, resilient, can do attitude with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Quick thinker with sound judgement in fast moving environments.
Buyer / Procurement Specialist Experience & Qualifications
* Relevant experience in purchasing, procurement or supply chain operations is essential.
* Previous experience in a Buyer or similar operational procurement role is strongly preferred.
* Engineering or manufacturing background is strongly preferred.
* Experience working with ERP systems (SAP desirable) and managing PO's in a fast paced environment.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, MS Project).
* Undergraduate degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering or related field (preferred but not essential).
* Supply Chain or CIPS certification is highly desirable.
* Understanding of procurement and supply chain processes, inventory control concepts, safety stock, replenishment and VMI (advantageous).
* Willingness to learn, develop and take ownership of initiatives with moderate scope and impact.
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