Senior Buyer – Engineering / Manufacturing
📍 Manchester
💷 £45,000 – £55,000 + benefits
💼 Permanent
We’re working with a growing engineering and manufacturing business in Manchester that’s looking to add a Senior Buyer to its procurement team during a major programme of expansion and production ramp-up.
This is a genuinely strategic role, owning key supplier relationships across the UK and Europe and playing a critical part in building a robust, agile and cost-effective supply chain.
🧩 The Role
As Senior Buyer, you’ll take full ownership of several key categories and suppliers, managing the full procurement lifecycle including:
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Developing and delivering procurement strategies for high-value and critical suppliers
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Sourcing and awarding contracts for goods and services based on quality, cost and delivery
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Building and managing long-term strategic supplier relationships
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Leading commercial negotiations to secure best price, lead time and terms
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Driving cost saving and cost avoidance initiatives
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Managing supplier performance, reviews, KPIs and continuous improvement actions
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Resolving supply chain issues across quality, delivery, technical and commercial topics
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Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks
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Working closely with Engineering, Programmes and Manufacturing to ensure BOM and schedule alignment
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Supporting design changes, obsolescence and development programmes
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Representing Procurement in project and programme meetings
🧠 What They’re Looking For
Essential:
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Proven experience in Procurement / Supply Chain / Buying
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Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
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Confident using Excel for analysis and reporting
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Commercially aware with the ability to assess risk in supplier proposals
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Able to read engineering drawings and understand BOM structures
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Organised, proactive, detail-focused and comfortable working to deadlines
Desirable:
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Background in engineering or manufacturing environments
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Degree or CIPS Level 4+
💡 Personal Attributes
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Confident, credible and able to build strong relationships internally and externally
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Proactive and self-motivated – someone who likes to get things done
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Team-oriented, supportive and collaborative
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Comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing environment