Manufacturing Buyer

An opportunity has arisen for a Manufacturing Buyer to join a high-end advanced fabrication environment delivering projects from initial CAD design through to full manufacturing. The facility supports premium workshop and engineering solutions for leading manufacturers within the luxury automotive, motor sport, and high-performance vehicle sectors. The Manufacturing Buyer will be responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing materials, components, and services required to support manufacturing operations.

This role is critical in ensuring continuity of supply, cost control, quality compliance, and on-time delivery, while building strong supplier relationships and supporting production schedules.

Key Responsibilities Procurement & Sourcing Source raw materials, components, and subcontract services in line with production requirements Prepare, place, and manage purchase orders Identify, assess, and onboard new suppliers to strengthen supply chain resilience Procure finished products in support of manufactured goods Supplier Management Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and contractual agreements Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and service Resolve supply chain issues including delays, shortages, and quality concerns Inventory & Planning Collaborate with production and planning teams to forecast material requirements Maintain optimal stock levels to avoid shortages and excess inventory Support material planning through ERP systems (e.g. Business Central / SAP / Oracle) Cost Control & Continuous Improvement Analyse spend and identify cost-saving opportunities Drive continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives Compliance & Documentation Ensure purchasing activities comply with internal policies and procedures Create, maintain, and update purchasing procedures Maintain accurate purchasing records and documentation Support the creation and updating of costed Bills of Materials (BOMs) General Responsibilities Review haulage and logistics arrangements to improve service and cost efficiency Support transport coordination as required Work closely with site functions and provide cross-functional office support Promote Health & Safety compliance across all activities Support quality standards through verification processes, dimensional checks, scrap analysis, and root cause investigations Drive scrap reduction and process improvement initiatives Reporting Line Functionally reports to the General Manager Candidate Profile Qualifications CIPS qualification (or equivalent) preferred

Experience with in lean manufacturing or continuous improvement environments Understanding of international sourcing and logistics Experience 25 years experience in a purchasing/buying role within a manufacturing environment Experience using ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Business Central) Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and materials Skills & Competencies Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative Strong negotiation and supplier management capability Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills High attention to detail and strong organisational ability Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines