Buyer, Procurement

This is an exciting opening to join an expanding aerospace manufacturing company. Middlesex Group Limited operates in a commercially driven environment, with particular emphasis on supplier development and effective negotiation. You will be working with a highly skilled and motivated team that is keen on developing best practice purchasing techniques and supply chain philosophies.

Responsibilities

• Purchase goods, materials, components or services in line with specified cost, quality and delivery targets
• Support the purchasing function and other relevant departments and communicate any supply problems which may impact on business operations
• Act as an interface between suppliers and other relevant departments on purchasing processes and new projects and activities
• Monitor and advise on any issues which present risk or opportunity to the organisation
• Monitor market trends, competitor strategies and market suppliers
• Provide analysis on costs, new and existing, and review cost reduction activities
• Prepare reports and updates as and when required
• Work closely with others in the procurement function and review opportunities for continuous improvement and business improvements
• Adhere to any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of self, staff and visitors
• Negotiate contracts, improve prices and terms of business with suppliers and review opportunities to make business savings utilising negotiation and procurement best practice tools and methods
• Prepare and raise purchase orders and order schedules
• Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships and keep up good communications
• Ensure that a professional and consistent approach is taken in relation to all supplier relationships
• Ensure compliance to company guidelines, purchasing policies and procedures and OJEU guidance during supplier negotiations and contracts award process
• Conduct research for new components and suppliers
• Compile data relating to supplier performance to enable evaluation
• Assess and evaluate suppliers and contribute to performance reviews to ensure contract compliance
• Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery or invoice issues

Self-Management

• Comply with the Health, Safety and Environmental Policies
• Assertive, resilient and welcomes change
• Engages interest and participation of others and has a collaborative approach to working together
• Proactively contributes to the team
• Actively committed to teams’ development
• Is self-aware and optimistic
• Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings

Skills and Attributes

• Able to build and maintain effective and productive relationships with staff, stakeholders and suppliers
• Good communication, negotiation, interpersonal and influencing skills
• Analytical, numerically astute with strong demonstrated problem-solving abilities
• Able to manage time effectively, prioritise tasks and achieve set targets
• Commercial and financial awareness with a full understanding of how failure impacts the production, manufacture and customer order fulfilment
• Able to work well under pressure and handle emergency and stressful situations
• Keen attention to detail and accuracy
• Familiarity with an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system would be beneficial

Qualifications and Experience

• Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or similar qualification or studying towards CIPS qualification would be beneficial
• Previous experience of working in a purchasing team preferably within a manufacturing environment
• Good knowledge of purchasing, negotiation, commercial understanding and cost breakdown
• Experience of working closely with suppliers
• Able to add value, reduce costs and input to business improvements
• An understanding of automotive processes and components would be advantageous
• Computer literate, with advanced Excel skills/abilities

Closing date for applications: 20/01/2025