Senior Buyer

Position Purpose

Reporting directly to the Purchasing Manager, the role is primarily responsible for ensuring Supplier Performance aligns with business expectations. When necessary, the role assists stakeholders in resolving issues related to part availability. Additionally, the role supports the manufacturing location operations team in achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and business objectives, particularly in relation to supplier capacity, incoming quality, and supplier-related warranty issues.

The role requires an in-depth understanding of the supply base and the ability to influence it to consistently deliver the required level of service. It also serves as the link between the category management team and the business, supporting any given change management program.

About the Role

Provides local input into the creation of category strategies. Assists category teams in developing a category execution plan and drives a system to monitor and manage supplier performance through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Responsibilities

• Delivers robust implementation plans aligned with the sourcing strategy, including:
• Effective early supplier engagement
• Cost-saving projects
• Tendering
• Contracting
• Capacity management
• Supplier performance targets
• Maintains progress of strategies and modifies them based on the changing business environment
• Works with the team to develop commercial contracts to meet the business needs
• Liaises with business functions to implement the strategy
• Collaborates with stakeholders to implement supply contracts
• Maintains supplier performance escalations from the Materials Team and is responsible for closing Supplier Delivery 8D's for relevant categories
• Deals with suppliers and customers on rectifying performance issues related to quality issues
• Supports launch activities within the category and/or manufacturing location to meet timing, quality, and cost expectations of relevant programs
• Represents Purchasing in Top 10 Warranty reviews and closes out supplier-related issues within the required KPIs
• Acts on alerts from the continuous risk assessment process and ensures Business Continuity plans are in place with appropriate suppliers
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Category & Supplier Management in a Global Organization
• Cost and Pricing Management
• Performance & Change Management
• Contract Management
• Financial Awareness
• Purchasing in Engineering and Production Environment
• Holding and Building Relationships within a Global Matrix Organization
• Engineering, Materials, and/or Programme Management Understanding
• Graduate or Apprenticeship Qualifications
• Preferred Qualifications: Strong Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Proven Change Management Skills, Preferably CIPS Qualified, Demonstrated Effective Multi-Functional Team Working, Ability to Manage Changing Business Requirements, Influential Dexterity, Conflict Resolution Ability, Practical Problem-Solving Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications:

• Category & Supplier Management in a Global Organization
• Cost and Pricing Management
• Performance & Change Management
• Contract Management
• Financial Awareness
• Purchasing in Engineering and Production Environment
• Holding and Building Relationships within a Global Matrix Organization
• Engineering, Materials, and/or Programme Management Understanding
• Graduate or Apprenticeship Qualifications

Equal Opportunity Employer