Buyer Planner

Buyer Planner

Based onsite Irlam, Manchester

As a key member of the Supply Chain team, you will be responsible for driving procurement, materials planning, supplier relationship management, and sourcing strategies that support business growth and operational excellence. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the timely availability of materials, optimizing inventory levels, and developing a resilient and cost‑effective supply base.

• Manage and develop strategic suppliers' relationships and commodities to meet quality, delivery and cost savings objectives.
• Provide feedback to critical customers on forecasting, demand and delivery schedules.
• Participate in critical account SCM meetings.
• Analyse pricing trends and negotiate optimal agreements with strong commercial awareness.
• Work collaboratively to second source strategic commodities as needed to mitigate risk.
• Create and manage purchase orders and requests for quotes to include technical documents, pricing, delivery and key milestones to ensure on‑time receipt of material.
• Analyse, adjust and optimise product and component inventory levels to coincide with manufacturing demand and lead time changes.
• Maintain the integrity of MRP parameters (lot/order size, sourcing rules, material cost, and lead time).
• Coordinate with Supplier Quality on quality issues to ensure immediate intervention and resolution.

• BS/BA in Business, Operations, Supply Chain Management, or similar/equivalent qualification or equivalent experience.
• Certification CIPS preferred.
• Proven background in master scheduling, supply chain commodity/product line management, purchasing or planning.
• Must possess excellent communication skills with the ability to read, write and speak with clarity in the English language and interface effectively with customers, suppliers and peers.
• Requires excellent analytical thinking, keen negotiation, and conflict management skills.
• Displays commitment to resolve problems and make decisions based upon the priority of the problem in relation to business needs.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft tools with a good working knowledge of Excel.
• Experience in Oracle Cloud or equivalent.

Must be available and willing to travel, domestically and internationally as needed. Travel rated as occasional (10-20%).