Strategic Buyer

SBD is looking for an experienced and commercially focused Strategic Buyer to develop and manage the sourcing of materials and components across the business.

This is a hands on role responsible for identifying global supply opportunities, developing supplier relationships and securing the best possible value without compromising SBD's high standards of product quality, durability and performance.

Working closely with Manufacturing, Quality and Design, the successful candidate will play an important role in strengthening supplier performance, managing supply risk, delivering procurement savings and supporting new product development from sampling through to production.

The roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Identify, evaluate and develop suppliers across global markets to support quality, cost and continuity of supply objectives.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships that encourage collaboration, flexibility and continuous improvement.
• Support the implementation and management of supplier Long Term Agreements (LTAs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Monitor supplier performance through scorecards covering quality, delivery, service and commercial performance.

• Source and evaluate leather, fabrics, elastics, neoprene, webbings and other specialist materials used within technical apparel and strength equipment.
• Assess material performance against technical requirements including durability, tensile strength, shrinkage, colourfastness and pilling.
• Interpret technical packs, Bills of Materials (BOMs), specifications and construction details to ensure sourcing accuracy.
• Maintain knowledge of garment construction and manufacturing processes including dyeing, printing, embroidery and finishing techniques.

• Source materials and components at the best possible price without compromising product quality, durability, appearance or performance.
• Obtain and analyse quotations, challenge pricing and negotiate costs, MOQs, lead times and commercial terms within agreed parameters.
• Maintain accurate product and material costings to support target margins and commercial decisions.
• Present sourcing recommendations and commercial analysis to the Manufacturing Director to support decision making.

• Coordinate material procurement to support production schedules and ensure continuity of supply.
• Proactively manage supplier orders, chasing outstanding actions and obtaining timely confirmation and notification of deliveries.
• Monitor supplier capacity, lead times and logistics to proactively identify and mitigate supply risks.
• Balance MOQs, availability, production requirements and inventory holding costs to minimise shortages, excess stock and production disruption.
• Support inventory optimisation and the transition towards system based inventory management.

• Work closely with Design, Manufacturing and Quality to support New Product Development & Introduction (NPDI) alongside ongoing product requirements.
• Support the assessment and onboarding of new suppliers during NPDI, considering capability, capacity, quality standards, technical requirements, cost and lead times.
• Coordinate pre-production sample activity with suppliers.
• Support material validation and testing to ensure products meet technical specifications and performance expectations.
• Ensure supplier, material and process changes are communicated, controlled and implemented effectively.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing quality issues, rejection rates and improving consistency.

We encourage you to apply if you are…