Strategic Buyer
Location
Cheshire
Salary
£45,000 – £60,000 per annum + comprehensive benefits package
About Us
We are a leading manufacturer of precision-engineered components, supplying mission-critical parts to global OEMs and Tier 1 customers.
Quality, innovation, and supply chain excellence are at the heart of our business, enabling us to deliver products that meet the highest industry standards.
As we continue to grow, we are looking to appoint a Strategic Buyer to play a pivotal role in developing our supplier network, driving procurement excellence, and supporting the long-term success of our operations.
The Role
As Strategic Buyer, you will be responsible for developing and managing key supplier relationships while ensuring the effective procurement of materials and components to support business objectives. Working closely with operations, engineering, planning, and quality teams, you will identify opportunities to improve cost, quality, delivery, and supply chain resilience.
This is a strategic position that requires strong commercial acumen, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to influence sourcing decisions, including participation in Buy vs Make evaluations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers to secure the best value, pricing, and contractual terms.
- Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with key suppliers, driving performance and continuous improvement.
- Manage supplier order books to ensure material availability aligns with production schedules and customer demand.
- Monitor supplier performance, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions where required.
- Manage supply chain escalations, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues efficiently.
- Execute procurement activities in line with business requirements, ensuring cost-effective and timely sourcing of materials and components.
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives and supplier selection processes for new and existing products.
- Contribute to Buy vs Make decision-making by providing commercial analysis and supply chain insight.
- Work cross-functionally with engineering, production planning, quality, and operations teams to optimise supply chain performance.
- Analyse market trends, supplier capabilities, and cost drivers to identify opportunities for value creation and risk mitigation.
- Support inventory optimisation initiatives while maintaining service levels and operational continuity.
About You
You are an experienced procurement professional with a strategic mindset and a proven ability to build successful supplier partnerships within a manufacturing environment.
You are commercially driven, highly organised, and confident managing complex supplier relationships in a fast-paced, quality-focused industry.
Essential Experience
- Demonstrable procurement or buying experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Proven track record of leading supplier negotiations and achieving commercial improvements.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and driving supplier performance.
- Strong order book management experience.
- Experience handling supplier escalations and resolving supply chain challenges.
- Exposure to Buy vs Make decision-making processes.
- Excellent commercial awareness, analytical skills, and negotiation ability.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
Desirable
- Experience within the aerospace, aeronautical, defence, automotive, or precision engineering sectors.
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain planning tools.
- CIPS qualification or working towards professional procurement accreditation.
- Understanding of AS9100 or other regulated manufacturing quality standards.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £45,000 – £60,000, depending on experience.
- Attractive benefits package.
- The opportunity to join a well-established and growing aerospace manufacturing business.
- A collaborative working environment with opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- A strategic role with genuine influence over supplier partnerships, sourcing decisions, and business performance.