Technical Buyer

About the role

Work closely with Products, R&D, Product Management, and Engineering teams throughout the NPD process. Support the creation, validation, and maintenance of Bills of Materials (BOMs).

Responsibilities

• Source and evaluate components for new product designs, considering cost, lead time, lifecycle, availability, and technical suitability.
• Provide early procurement involvement during product development to reduce supply chain risks.
• Support engineering change management activities and approvals impact, ensuring procurement impacts are understood and controlled.
• Identify alternative components and suppliers to improve resilience and mitigate obsolescence risks.
• Develop and maintain commodity strategies for assigned product categories.
• Monitor global market conditions, technology developments, and supply chain risks affecting critical commodities.
• Manage component shortages, allocation situations, and market disruptions to maintain continuity of supply.
• Lead supplier engagement activities to improve availability, quality, lead times, and commercial performance.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and support supplier qualification and onboarding activities.
• Raise and manage purchase orders in line with business demand.
• Maintain accurate supplier pricing, lead times, and sourcing information within ERP/MRP systems.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and commercial agreements to achieve best value.
• Support inventory optimization while ensuring material availability.
• Work closely with Planning and Production teams to support operational requirements.
• Expedite critical materials when required to minimize production disruption.
• Manage component lifecycle risks including obsolescence, end-of-life notifications, and last-time-buy opportunities.
• Maintain approved supplier and approved manufacturer information where required.
• Support cost reduction, value engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide regular reporting on commodity risks, market developments, and supply chain opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Experience in technical procurement within electronics, manufacturing, or engineering environments.
• Experience supporting NPD/NPI projects and working closely with Engineering or R&D teams.
• Proven track record of supplier management, strategic sourcing, and commercial negotiation.
• Experience managing complex supply chain risks, commodity challenges, shortages, or allocation situations.
• Understanding of electronic components, PCBAs, or electronic components.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Business, or related discipline (desirable).
• Professional qualifications such as CIPS or equivalent (desirable).

Skills

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and BOM structures.
• Strong understanding of component sourcing, supplier capability, and commodity management.
• Knowledge of component lifecycle management and obsolescence planning.
• Strong commercial awareness, negotiation skills, and supplier relationship management.
• Analytical and data-driven, with the ability to assess market trends, lead times, and supply chain risks.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and maintaining accurate procurement data.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence across Procurement, R&D, Engineering, Planning, and Operations.