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