Buyer - Temporary
Location: Tonbridge, Kent
Salary: £34,500 (35 hours per week)
Contract: 3–6 months
Hybrid: Primarily office-based; limited hybrid considered
Temp to perm a potential
A Buyer is needed to support a growing procurement function consisting of a existing Buyer and a Strategic Buyer. You will manage purchasing activity, ensure timely supply of materials, maintain supplier relationships and act as the SAP Super User for the purchasing function. The position requires strong accuracy, supplier management capability and experience supporting production and engineering teams.
The ideal candidate will have experience in a manufacturing environment, SAP, strong negotiation skills, and either hold or be willing to work towards CIPS certification.
The Buyer will play a key role in supporting growth, managing engineering changes, analysing buying patterns and supporting cost-down activity.
Key Responsibilities
Raise, amend and manage purchase orders in SAP
Maintain supplier relationships and resolve delivery issues
Support cost-down initiatives and efficiency improvements
Analyse buying patterns and adjust order cover to meet demand
Maintain purchasing data with accuracy across SAP and manual systems
Support Engineering Change Notes (ECNs) and vendor performance reporting
Collaborate closely with Production, Engineering and Industrialisation teams
Act as SAP Super User for the purchasing function
Skills & Experience
Strong SAP experience (essential)
Purchasing experience within manufacturing (preferred)
Confident supplier communicator and negotiator
Strong accuracy, organisation and data discipline
Ability to work in a small, collaborative team
CIPS qualified or willing to work toward qualification
Able to work on-site, with limited hybrid flexibility