Lead Buyer

Lead Buyer Location: Redditch (On-site) Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm (some flexibility on hours) Job Type: Permanent An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a large international engineering and manufacturing business as a Lead Buyer. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced sourcing or purchasing professional to take ownership of a specialist subcontract machining supply chain, supporting major contractual customer accounts within regulated industries. This role offers genuine career progression within a global organisation alongside an excellent benefits package. The Role You will be responsible for managing the subcontract machining supply chain, ensuring cost-effective sourcing, supplier performance, quality, and continuity of supply for large customer contracts. Key responsibilities include: * Managing the subcontract machining supplier base for key customer programmes. * Preparing and managing RFQs, evaluating supplier quotations and supporting tender submissions. * Identifying cost reduction opportunities through global sourcing, alternative suppliers and material selection. * Working closely with Sales, Quality and Operations to support new product introductions and customer projects. * Developing and maintaining strong supplier relationships whilst negotiating commercial agreements. * Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks including capacity constraints, single-source dependencies and raw material volatility. * Supporting customer and certification audits, including ISO 9001 and EN 9120. * Managing supplier performance and contributing to sustainability initiatives. * Working with both UK and international suppliers to deliver sourcing projects. * Reading and interpreting technical engineering drawings and specifications. About You We're looking for an experienced sourcing or purchasing professional who has worked within a manufacturing or engineering environment. You will ideally have: * Previous experience managing subcontract machining or engineering supply chains. * Strong commercial awareness and excellent negotiation skills. * Knowledge of manufacturing processes and engineering components. * Experience within a regulated industry such as aerospace, defence, automotive or oil & gas. * An understanding of MOD and aerospace specifications. * The ability to read and interpret technical drawings. * Excellent communication and relationship-building skills. * Strong analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities. * Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. * The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments. What's on Offer * Salary of £45,000 - £55,000, depending on experience. * Private healthcare. * Genuine opportunities for career progression within a large international business. * Enhanced maternity and paternity pay. * Life insurance. * Death in service cover. * 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays. * Supportive and collaborative working environment. * Long-term career development and training opportunities