Indirect Buyer

Indirect Buyer - Automotive Manufacturing

Takake, Burton Upon Trent, England, United Kingdom

Midlands (multi-site responsibility across three plants)

Most buying jobs are predictable. This one isn't. One day you're negotiating a supplier on forklift tyres, the next you're locking in a multi-million-pound site-services deal across multiple plants. It's fast, it's varied, it's challenging, but nobody breathes down your neck, and you're treated like an adult.

• Own the entire supply strategy for maintenance, repair, services and consumables
• Deliver (and beat) serious savings targets that hit the bottom line
• Benchmark, run RFQs, negotiate contracts like a pro
• Chase down non-conformities and make sure they stay fixed
• Keep the plants, engineering and finance all pointing the same direction
• Identify market opportunities to satisfy the plants requirements
• Improve and implement the cost reduction programs through price reductions / optimisations

• Real indirect/MRO/plant buying experience inside manufacturing (advantageous if this has come from within Automotive)
• CIPS is advantageous; proven results are essential
• A track record of real savings and juggling multiple projects without dropping any
• Strong communication — you’ll talk to people on the shop floor and ops directors in the same hour across differing departments, so you’ll utilise your strong relationship building skills
• The drive to work independently but the sense to elevate when it matters

• Proactive, results driven and enjoy building meaningful relationships
• Brilliant at prioritising the 3 things that matter out of 20 on your plate
• Comfortable pushing back (politely but firmly) when needed
• Ambitious — you want the next step (senior MRO, category lead, logistics, development — it's all possible here)

A large, high volume automotive manufacturing operation that forms part of a global tier one group. The site operates in a fast paced, quality critical environment where equipment uptime, supplier performance and cost control directly impact production and customer delivery. This role offers the chance to work within a globally connected manufacturing business while having real ownership and visibility at site level.

You will gain exposure to best practice processes, complex operations and a role that genuinely impacts performance.

• £50k base (up to £55k if you’re exceptional)
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Electric car scheme via salary sacrifice
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Option to buy/sell holiday
• Flexible start & finish times every day
• 1 day a week work-from-home
• Genuine progression — promotion from within and there’s clear headroom

If you get a buzz from turning supplier chaos into hard cash savings and being trusted to just get on with it, send your CV and we’ll talk further.

Senior level:
Mid‑Senior level

Employment type:

Contract

Job function:
Purchasing and Supply Chain

Industries:
Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage