About The Role
Due to growth, we have an exciting new opportunity for a Strategic Buyer to join our team, to support our Chandler’s Ford Branch.
The Strategic Buyer will take ownership for achieving the optimum value on total costs, through sourcing strategies, supplier evaluation and selection, performance monitoring and supplier relationship management.
In this role, you’ll also be responsible for leading and mentoring junior members of the Purchasing & Supply Chain team, fostering their growth and development through coaching and training. We’re looking for someone with a strong passion for developing people and a track record of leading teams to success.
You’ll also contribute to the development and implementation of supply chain strategies, with a particular focus on logistics, and be involved in continuous improvement initiatives across the team.
Please note, due to the nature of the role, this is office based and there is a requirement to be in the office at Chandlers Ford 5 days a week.
As Strategic Buyer, you’ll get to:
1. Develop and analyse Category Strategies and produce Category Reviews to achieve departmental & business objectives as detailed by the Management team, with a particular focus on logistics and transport of goods and services both into and out of the business.
2. Lead and support the development of junior team members, ensuring their growth through mentorship, coaching, and hands-on guidance.
3. Work with the Operational Buyers to maintain the supply base for goods & services to the Company within assigned categories of spend, including the development of improvement plans for any underperforming suppliers.
4. Lead efforts to review and improve existing processes, collaborating with the wider Supply Chain team to enhance operational efficiency and drive continuous improvements
5. Be involved in day-to-day management to ensure critical processes run effectively.
6. Review landed costs data, with monthly updates to ensure costs are captured correctly.
7. Manage the relationships with suppliers to achieve best prices and value for goods and services purchased by the Company, including on-site audits of existing/new/potential suppliers.
8. Work with internal & external stakeholders to resolve quality & commercial issues in a prompt & effective manner.
9. Introduce best practice and new processes as required, including the associated training and upskilling of team members.
Qualifications & Experience
10. Proven Strategic Procurement Experience within manufacturing, distribution, or engineering sectors
11. Supply Chain Expertise: Knowledge of logistics and inventory management, with the ability to develop and implement strategies that deliver value
12. Experience in leading and mentoring teams, with a passion for coaching and developing talent within the Purchasing and Supply Chain function.
13. CIPS Level 4, or equivalent Supply Chain Qualification, or working toward.
14. Educated to A Level standard or equivalent.
15. Results driven, with the ability to engage and motivate team members, peers and relevant stakeholders, to work collaboratively across various platforms, including MS Teams, to achieve business objectives.
16. Able to communicate confidently with outside suppliers and stakeholders at all levels.
17. An ability to professionally work with others, using persuasion and influencing skills where needed to ensure all work is completed on time, every time, including negotiation with stores, production, engineering, quality, sales and external contacts as required.
18. Demonstrable ability to negotiate with suppliers to achieve optimum contract terms, value for money and quality.
19. Ability to use own knowledge of products to define potential alternative suppliers.
20. Demonstrable experience of solving problems quickly and effectively, either by collaboration with the wider team, or based on own knowledge and experience.
21. Work effectively under pressure, in a high-volume environment, to be able to prioritise workload to ensure all daily tasks are completed.
22. Intermediate level MS Office skills, with the ability to analyse data on Microsoft packages such as Excel / Word / PowerPoint.
23. Valid UK driving licence.
24. Experience within the Automotive or Aerospace industries is preferred, but not essential.
What we can offer you
We understand balancing work and life commitments isn’t always easy, that’s why we’ve designed our benefits package to support you in all areas of life.
25. Competitive salary
26. Eligible for company bonus scheme (annual and quarterly payments)
27. Medicash Scheme – medical expenses scheme (access to 24hour online GP services, discounted gym memberships)
28. Pension scheme with contribution based on total earnings not just salary
29. 25 days holiday + 8 Bank Holidays
30. Increasing annual leave entitlement with long service
31. 3x your annual salary life insurance (DIS)
32. Support for development and training
33. Employee assistance programme (EAP) & access to Mental Health first aiders
34. Employee discount scheme (discounts/vouchers for supermarkets, high street shops, holidays and more)
35. Employee referral scheme