Strategic Buyer - Supplier Compliance

Cubed Talent are proud to be recruiting a Senior Strategic Buyer for a leading, advanced manufacturing organisation specialising in complex, precision-engineered machine tools. This is a pivotal role focused on building a resilient supply chain, ensuring exceptional supplier quality, and maintaining strict compliance within a regulated, high-accuracy engineering environment.

If you thrive in strategic procurement, enjoy assessing and managing supplier risk, and excel in environments where quality is non-negotiable—you’ll feel right at home.

As Senior Strategic Buyer, you will take ownership of sourcing high-value components and specialist engineered services, using your technical knowledge and commercial expertise to secure reliable, compliant, future-proof supply arrangements.

You’ll be the voice of supplier quality and risk management, driving standards, challenging suppliers, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, and safeguarding operations through robust, well-structured contracts.

This role is central to maintaining continuity of supply within a precision manufacturing setting, ensuring every part meets the exacting standards required.

• Lead supplier audits, evaluations, and ongoing performance monitoring to ensure adherence to ISO / AS9100 and other regulatory or customer standards.
• Ensure all supplier contracts meet legal, regulatory and company compliance requirements.
• Develop and implement risk-based sourcing strategies, identifying supply chain vulnerabilities and delivering clear mitigation plans.
• Monitor supplier KPIs and drive continuous improvement around quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Escalate quality concerns with a structured, proactive approach, safeguarding continuity and reducing operational disruption.

• Create and implement category strategies for key materials, components, and services.
• Conduct detailed market research to identify new supply opportunities and strengthen the supplier base.
• Manage tendering processes, supplier selection and contract award decisions.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers through structured SRM and regular review meetings.
• Work closely with Engineering, Production, Quality and Finance to align procurement decisions with technical specifications and business goals.

• Ensure procurement activities reflect best value by balancing cost, quality and delivery.
• Support cross-functional collaboration to raise the profile of procurement across the organisation.
• Promote ethical business behaviour and uphold the highest standards of integrity.
• Provide cover for the Sourcing Manager and other senior team members when required.

• Proven experience in strategic supplier management and category management.
• Strong understanding of contract law, compliance frameworks, and supplier governance.
• Technical appreciation, including ability to interpret engineering drawings and quality standards.
• Experience with in precision, engineering or manufacturing environments (ISO, AS9100, or similar).
• Strong negotiation, influencing and communication skills at all business levels.
• Resilient, organised and solution-focused, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering or Business (CIPS or equivalent preferred).
• Comfortable using ERP / MRP systems such as SAP or Oracle.

This is a rare opportunity to influence the quality and resilience of a supply chain at the heart of advanced engineering. You’ll enjoy an environment that values technical expertise, encourages strategic thinking and trusts you to make significant, meaningful decisions.

Alongside a competitive salary of circa £50k and an annual bonus of up to 15% of salary, you’ll benefit from :

• 33 days annual leave
• Flexible working hours
• Bupa health insurance & health cash plan
• Enhanced pension
• Life assurance

Apply now via Cubed Talent or contact our Jess for a confidential conversation on (phone number removed)