Location: Colchester
Rate: £30 to £40 per hour
Employment Type: Contract
Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working (3 on site, 2 from home)
Contract Length: 2–3 months (initial contract)
Are you an experienced Buyer or Procurement professional with strong supplier management, negotiation skills, and a background in electronic components or technical manufacturing?
This role has an indicative outside IR35 determination, meaning we can accept candidates who wish to operate through their own Personal Service Company (PSC).
This contract role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact by improving supplier performance, reducing lead‑times, and supporting strategic procurement activity.
Role Responsibilities – Contract Strategic Buyer
- Manage supplier performance, ensuring on‑time delivery and accurate purchase order tracking.
- Run RFQs and negotiate pricing, MOQs, payment terms, and batch cost improvements.
- Support cost‑saving initiatives and rebate schemes aligned with procurement KPIs.
- Reduce lead‑times through strategic sourcing, consignment stock, and safety‑stock agreements.
- Work with Engineering to manage component obsolescence, secure last‑time buys, and identify alternative parts.
- Assess supplier capability, capacity, and financial stability to mitigate supply chain risk.
- Maintain procurement documentation including NDAs, due diligence, and supplier records.
- Contribute to procurement strategy and multi‑sourcing plans for critical components.
Skills and Experience Required – Contract Strategic Buyer
- Proven experience in procurement, buying, or supply chain within electronics, engineering, or manufacturing.
- Strong negotiation skills across pricing, contracts, and lead‑time agreements.
- Confident managing suppliers, resolving issues, and driving performance improvements.
- Experience supporting obsolescence management or last‑time buys is highly beneficial.
- Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
- CIPS qualification is beneficial but not essential.
This is an excellent opportunity to deliver meaningful commercial and operational impact within a fast‑paced engineering environment. If you’re a proactive, strategic procurement professional ready to support a high‑performance technology business, this contract role is a great fit.
This role requires the successful candidate to pass BPSS screening and meet the eligibility criteria for Security Check (SC) clearance.
For more information, please contact Cathy Swain.
T: (phone number removed)
E: (url removed)
Salary description
£30.00 - £40.00 per hour