Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer

We are seeking a commercially focused Senior Buyer for our Tamworth based client. You'll take ownership of strategic sourcing and supplier management across key product categories.

This is a pivotal role within the Procurement and Supply Chain team, responsible for driving cost efficiency, ensuring continuity of supply, and maintaining high product quality standards.

You will play a key role in developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, and leading procurement activity across a diverse portfolio of spend. Working closely with Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance, you will help optimise inventory, support new product development, and contribute to continuous improvement across the end-to-end procurement function.

As a Senior Buyer, you will need to have/be:

Proven experience in procurement, sourcing, category management, or purchasing roles
Strong understanding of supply chain processes (logistics, warehousing, demand planning)
Experience working with ERP/MRP systems
Experience negotiating contracts and managing supplier performance
Commercial awareness with understanding of cost drivers and total cost of ownership
Experience working in a matrix organisation with cross-functional stakeholders
Ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple suppliers/categories
Strong negotiation and relationship management skills
Excellent analytical and numerical ability with high attention to detail
Advanced Excel skills and ability to interpret complex data sets
Strong organisational and problem-solving skills under pressure
Effective communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders
Collaborative team player with a proactive, "can-do" approach
Continuous improvement mindset with focus on efficiency and optimisationDesirable Experience

Experience in strategic sourcing methodologies
Experience in supplier risk management or contract law
Experience in new product development or category expansionEducation & Qualifications

A-levels or equivalent vocational qualification (or relevant experience)
Working towards or achieved CIPS qualification (preferred)
Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Procurement or related field (desirable)Details:

Salary: £38, 000 - £42, 000
Working Hours: Full time, Monday - Friday
Location: Tamworth (on site)
Duration: PermanentRole of Senior Buyer:

Lead sourcing and procurement of products for resale aligned with business demand and forecasts
Develop and implement category strategies to optimise cost, quality, and service levels
Manage supplier relationships to ensure continuity of supply and strong performance
Negotiate pricing, contracts, and commercial terms to achieve best value and reduce risk
Work closely with supply chain planning to optimise stock levels using ERP/MRP systems
Ensure product availability targets are met and supply risks are proactively managed
Identify and deliver cost saving and cost avoidance opportunities
Monitor market trends, pricing changes, and supply chain risks to support decision-making
Manage new product development and sourcing projects end-to-end (tenders, supplier selection, samples, negotiations)
Identify, audit, and onboard new suppliers in line with compliance and sustainability standards
Conduct benchmarking to ensure competitiveness across product ranges
Support budgeting and forecasting with accurate procurement data
Manage supplier performance against SLAs, including OTIF and corrective actions
Resolve supply issues quickly to minimise operational disruption
Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, Inventory, and Customer Services
Maintain accurate procurement data within ERP/MRP systems
Produce KPI reporting including savings, lead times, PPV, OTIF, and supplier performance
Support continuous improvement across procurement processes and systems
Ensure compliance with company policies, contracts, and regulatory requirements
Manage supplier risk including financial stability, quality, and ethical standards
Maintain full audit trail and documentation for all procurement activityBenefits of working as a Senior Buyer:

23 days holiday, plus bank holidays
Christmas shutdown
Free on-site parking
Pension scheme