Lead Buyer

CVI Infrared Optics is a part of the IDEX Materials, Science and Solutions (MSS) platform. Besides our unique capabilities in manufacturing large optics from visible to longwave, we are backed by the combined capabilities of our platform. CVI offers a full spectrum of optical engineering, manufacturing, and assembly expertise. Together we can support all our customers with more engineering expertise, broader capabilities, and extensive manufacturing resources.

Since 1982, CVI Infrared Optics has been manufacturing advanced optical components for high performance optronics systems. We have become the leading experts in manufacturing and integration of large optics from visible, and near infrared, to longwave infrared, that can continuously perform in extreme weather climates and harsh conditions. When you need robust optical components and assembly expertise for your mission critical application, we can provide world-class solutions.

Act as the Lead Buyer within the Supply Chain function by supporting complex purchases, key suppliers and their performance. Provide data-driven insight, resolve escalations and guide purchasing activity to ensure decisions support the supply chain strategy. Strengthen supplier capability awareness, support cross-functional issue resolution and lead the Buyer through best-practice behaviour and clear communication. Act as a key contributor to tactical sourcing decisions by ensuring RFQs are accurate, competitive and aligned with company expectations.

Maintain strong awareness of material risk, proactively addressing key delivery concerns, capacity constraints and supplier performance trends. Support continuous improvement across purchasing processes by identifying inefficiencies, recommending corrective actions and reinforcing consistent best-practice behaviours within the team.

Monday to Friday – 08:30am to 4:30pm - 37.5hrs (30mins unpaid break).

Follow the site's comprehensive safety regulations, promptly report any risks, hazards, or incidents, and ensure a safe workplace by adhering to all established protocols.

Produce accurate, high quality work by following clear instructions and guidelines. Maintain strong attention to detail, transparency and communicate issues clearly with practical options to support fast resolution.

• Support PO Placement
  - Guide CS, Planning and Purchasing from PO request through to supplier acknowledgement.
• Inventory Turns management
  - Negotiate delivery schedules that directly improve Inventory Turns KPI.
• Supplier Development
  - Work with internal teams on supplier onboarding, quality concerns and deviation management.
• Strategic Spend support
  - Collate RFQ data, compare options and provide tactical cost analysis for strategic buying decisions.
• Maintain Supplier Matrix
  - Own and update the Supplier Matrix to support RFQ activity and supplier selection.
• Procurement Escalations
  - Manage supplier escalations, including expediting and freight issues and close them out effectively.
• Supplier KPIs & Performance
  - Own KPI dashboard updates, analyse KPI performance and provide clear data insights to support supplier development.
• Supplier Spend Trend
  - Review supplier spend patterns and share analysis to guide sustainable supplier focus and future purchasing direction.
• Mediate communication
  - Bridge conversations between internal stakeholders and suppliers to resolve issues quickly.
• Purchasing Daily Meeting ownership
  - Own and drive timely closure of issues raised in the Supply Chain Daily Meeting dashboard.
• Lead by Example
  - Support the Buyer's learning, capability growth and process discipline through inclusivity, clear communication and consistent best practice behaviour.

• Supplier OTD - across materials or high spend consumables
• Lead time adherence - across critical materials
• Tactical cost savings - delivered through negotiations on RFQs and repeat business
• Inventory Turns - supported through improved delivery schedules
• RFQ accuracy
  - Supplier spend balance accuracy

In this role, you'll expand your advanced operational expertise across purchasing and supply management by taking ownership of complex PO placement, backlog control, expediting and supplier communication. You'll apply your existing capability to manage higher risk suppliers, resolve escalations and influence purchasing decisions with clear, data driven insight. You'll strengthen your ability to interpret supplier constraints early, provide Planning with reliable supply intelligence and guide cross functional discussions that support stable material flow.

You'll enhance your tactical sourcing capability by comparing RFQ outcomes, assessing supplier performance and shaping purchasing recommendations that align with the wider supply chain strategy. As you progress, you'll deepen your awareness of strategic procurement measures, including cost drivers, capacity pressures, supplier behaviours and early indicators of supply risk, enabling you to…