Indirect Buyer - Automotive Manufacturing
Midlands (multi-site responsibility across three plants)
£50,000 - £55,000 DOE + excellent benefits
Most buying jobs are predictable. This one isn't.
One day you're negotiating a supplier on forklift tyres, the next you're locking in a multi-million-pound site-services deal across multiple plants. It's fast, it's varied, it's challenging, but nobody breathes down your neck, and you're treated like an adult.
Day-to-day you'll:
Own the entire supply strategy for maintenance, repair, services and consumables
Deliver (and beat) serious savings targets that hit the bottom line
Benchmark, run RFQs, negotiate contracts like a pro
Chase down non-conformities and make sure they stay fixed
Keep the plants, engineering and finance all pointing the same direction
Identify market opportunities to satisfy the plants requirements
Improve and implement the cost reduction programs through price reductions / optimisations
You'll thrive here if you have:
Real indirect/MRO/plant buying experience inside manufacturing (advantageous if this has come from within Automotive)
CIPS is advantageous; proven results are essential
A track record of real savings and juggling multiple projects without dropping any
Strong communication - you'll talk to people on the shop floor and ops directors in the same hour across differing departments, so you'll utilise your strong relationship building skills
The drive to work independently but the sense to escalate when it matters
You'll fit if you're:
Proactive, results driven and enjoy building meaningful relationships
Brilliant at prioritising the 3 things that matter out of 20 on your plate
Comfortable pushing back (politely but firmly) when needed
Ambitious - you want the next step (senior MRO, category lead, logistics, development - it's all possible here)
About the Organisation:
A large, high volume automotive manufacturing operation that forms part of a global tier one group. The site operates in a fast paced, quality critical environment where equipment uptime, supplier performance and cost control directly impact production and customer delivery.
This role offers the chance to work within a globally connected manufacturing business while having real ownership and visibility at site level. You will gain exposure to best practice processes, complex operations and a role that genuinely impacts performance.
The benefits package:
£50k base (up to £55k if you're exceptional)
Substantial employer pension contribution
Electric car scheme via salary sacrifice
Cycle-to-work scheme
Discounted gym membership
Option to buy/sell holiday
Flexible start & finish times every day
1 day a week work-from-home
Genuine progression - promotion from within and there's clear headroom
If you get a buzz from turning supplier chaos into hard cash savings and being trusted to just get on with it, send your CV and we'll talk further.