SF Recruitment are working with a fledgling manufacturing business in the Dudley area to recruit a Buyer. Part of a larger group, the organisation is looking for a buyer to oversee procurement & material planning requirements for the site. An excellent opportunity to join a transforming procurement function & contribute to strategic supply initiatives within the wider group. A strong excel skillset is crucial to the role as the MRP system is currently not yet live. Duties: - Partner with Manufacturing to streamline material flow in line with Kanban systems and long-term planning. Apply manual supply/demand planning methods to enhance production efficiency. - Drive continuous improvement by promoting best practices and supporting initiatives that align with group procurement KPIs. - Contribute to the creation of category negotiation strategies and actively lead negotiations to meet defined targets and objectives. - Establish and nurture long-term strategic partnerships with key suppliers to drive sustained value and performance. - Conduct in-depth research on specific material categories to identify and implement cost-saving opportunities. - Stay informed on market developments by maintaining strong supplier relationships and leveraging relevant market intelligence. - Develop strong supplier relationships and monitor performance, leading regular review meetings to address issues related to delivery, quality, and execution. Track outcomes and maintain performance data for continuous improvement. - Work closely with the Quality Team to assess and ensure supplier compliance with company standards for materials and services, both for current and prospective vendors. - Oversee procurement and inventory operations, ensuring timely receipt of materials and collaboration with operations teams. Maintain accurate records, monitor deliveries, and proactively address potential stock-out risks. - Collaborate with the Finance Team to promptly resolve invoice discrepancies and non-delivery issues, ensuring adherence to resolution timelines. - Serve as the primary contact for inquiries related to material purchasing, supplier matters, and logistics processes. Skillset Requirements: - Proven purchasing/supply experience within a manufacturing environment - Strong excel skillset & able to manage purchasing/supply duties via excel. - Adept at building strong supplier relationships