Senior Buyer - Automotive
Location: Coventry
Industry: Automotive (OEM)
Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Salary: £45,000-£55,000 (DOE)
Benefits: Holiday, Pension, Dental, Health, Life Insurance
Other: Relocation package available
At a Glance
Core Focus: Day-to-day buying of metal materials and cast/machined parts to support OEM vehicle programmes
Environment: Fast-paced, engineering-led automotive setting with close involvement in programme delivery
Why It Matters: You will ensure critical components and materials reach build lines on time, to cost and quality
Ideal Candidate: A hands-on buyer with experience managing suppliers and parts for automotive programmes
About the Role
We're looking for a Senior Buyer with strong automotive experience to manage the sourcing and delivery of metal materials, castings, forgings and machined components required for multiple OEM vehicle programmes.
This is a practical, programme-driven role where you will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality and programme management teams to make sure parts are sourced, ordered and delivered in line with build timing and engineering release schedules.
Your responsibilities will centre on supplier communication, purchase order management, issue resolution and ensuring programme demand is met without disruption.
Key Responsibilities
Purchase aluminium, steel, iron and other metallic materials needed for vehicle builds and development phases
Manage procurement of sand, die, pressure and investment castings, plus forged and CNC-machined components
Ensure parts and materials are delivered on time to support prototype, pre-production and production builds
Work closely with engineering teams to understand BOM changes, drawings, specs and material requirements
Issue and manage RFQs, evaluate supplier quotes, and place purchase orders in line with programme timelines
Track delivery schedules, resolve shortages, expedite orders and address supply issues quickly
Support engineering change control and update any sourcing or PO requirements accordingly
Monitor supplier performance against OEM standards for quality, cost, delivery and responsiveness
About You
Experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer within an automotive OEM or Tier 1
Strong understanding of metal materials, castings, machining processes and how they feed into vehicle systems
Comfortable working in a fast-paced programme environment with tight deadlines
Capable of reading engineering drawings, specs and understanding material requirements
Confident in managing suppliers, solving delivery problems and supporting build schedules
Skilled in RFQs, PO management, cost tracking and general procurement processes
Strong communicator able to work effectively with engineering, quality, logistics and programme teams
Engineering, manufacturing or materials-related background beneficial; CIPS advantageous
Why Join?
Support real OEM vehicle programmes with direct impact on build success
Work in a collaborative, hands-on automotive procurement team
Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
Career development within an expanding automotive operation