Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer – Technical Procurement

Full-Time | Monday–Friday, 8:00–18:00

Location:

Norwich
Salary: £45,000-£55,000 (Depending on proven experience)
Holidays: 24 Days + Bank Holidays (Plus enhanced holiday entitlement through company benefits scheme).

On behalf of our client, we are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer – Technical Procurement to join a leading manufacturing organisation. This is a key role responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and procuring technically complex materials, components, and services—including fabricated metalwork, machined parts, injection-moulded components, and sub-assemblies.
Working closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, and other operational teams, you will ensure a cost-effective, reliable, and compliant supply chain that supports both day-to-day manufacturing and long-term strategic projects. You will also mentor an Assistant Buyer and contribute to ongoing procurement and supply chain improvements.

Key Responsibilities Procurement & Sourcing

Manage daily purchasing activities to support production and project timelines.
Issue RFQs, analyse quotations, negotiate pricing, terms, and supplier agreements.
Raise and manage purchase orders within the ERP system (Oracle E1 preferred).
Support new product introduction (NPI), cost reduction, and sustainability initiatives.
Supplier Management

Maintain strong relationships with suppliers; monitor performance for quality, delivery, and cost.
Work cross-functionally to resolve supplier issues and support corrective actions.
Participate in supplier onboarding, assessments, and improvement reviews.
People Development

Line-manage and mentor the Assistant Buyer, providing structure, support, and training.
Promote best practices in sourcing, negotiation, and procurement processes.
Continuous Improvement & Projects

Support supply chain transformation projects, including ERP reimplementation.
Contribute to process improvements for efficiency, cost optimisation, and supplier collaboration.
Assist with ESG, sustainability, and compliance initiatives including ISO and BRCGS.
Operational Excellence

Ensure all procurement data is accurate—including pricing, lead times, and supplier information.
Resolve discrepancies quickly and maintain key procurement metrics.
Adhere to all health, safety, and company policies.
Skills & Experience

Experience as a Senior Buyer or Technical Buyer in engineering or manufacturing.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, moulding, etc.).
Proven negotiation skills and supplier relationship management.
ERP/MRP experience (Oracle E1 advantageous).
Mentoring or team development experience desirable.
CIPS qualification or working towards it is beneficial.
Company Benefits
Generous pension scheme: 2.5% employee / 10% employer contributions after 3 months

Holiday that grows with service:

Start with 24 days (plus bank holidays), Increase by 1 day each year up to 28 days

Enhanced paternity leave
Employee recognition programmes, including peer-nominated awards

Interested?
Apply now or contact Katie Dobson at Select Recruitment for more information.

The salary and location have been amended, Thank you