Junior Buyer – £31,000 per annum – Manchester (Office-Based) A leading engineering and manufacturing business is looking to appoint a Junior Buyer to join their established Purchasing Team in Manchester. This is a great opportunity for someone with 2–4 years’ experience in a purchasing support or buying role, ideally within a technical or manufacturing environment, who is ready to take on more responsibility in a global supply chain function. The Role The Junior Buyer will support strategic procurement activity, ensuring cost-effective and timely sourcing of materials, components, and services. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally with engineering, production, and finance teams, and play an active role in supplier development, cost reduction, and process improvement. Key Responsibilities: Source new suppliers globally and negotiate pricing and lead times Raise and manage purchase orders; validate and resolve invoice discrepancies Support inventory management and ensure on-time delivery of critical components Build and maintain supplier relationships, monitor performance and KPIs Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities Read and interpret technical drawings to support purchasing decisions Collaborate with internal departments to ensure procurement aligns with project timelines Requirements: 2–4 years’ experience in a Purchasing Assistant or Junior Buyer role Experience working with international suppliers Proven ability to negotiate pricing and delivery terms Skilled in resolving invoice issues and supporting procurement documentation Confident reading technical drawings Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel ERP experience (e.g., SAP or similar) desirable CIPS qualification or working towards it preferred The Person: Strong communicator with a proactive, solution-focused mindset Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Detail-driven, organised, and commercially aware A team player with a professional, collaborative approach Willing to travel internationally when required This is a fantastic role for someone who wants to grow within a global business and contribute to a high-performing procurement team.