Strategic Buyer

Strategic Buyer

Poole, Dorset

Strategic Buyer salary: £41,000 – £50,750

Please note: only applicants with the full-time, permanent right to work in the UK will be considered.

Strategic Buyer Overview:

Lead sourcing activity for new products, projects and ongoing production

requirements

Manage supplier selection, commercial negotiation, contracts and cost reduction activity

Work closely with Engineering, Quality and Operations to support successful product launches

Develop supplier performance across quality, delivery, cost and compliance

Join a growing engineering manufacturer with international supply chain exposure

CIPS & International Negotiation is a big plus 

This Strategic Buyer role is with an established engineering manufacturer in Poole, supporting project procurement, supplier development and long-term sourcing strategy. Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, the Strategic Buyer will work across new product introduction, supplier selection, contract negotiation, cost reduction and serial production readiness. This Strategic Buyer position suits someone who can balance technical procurement requirements with commercial decision-making and

supplier relationship management.

Day-to-day responsibilities of a Strategic Buyer

Represent Purchasing within development and industrialisation projects from early concept through to production launch

Source materials, components and finished products in line with technical, quality, cost and timing

requirements

Request quotations, lead commercial negotiations and put supplier agreements in place

Work with Engineering, Quality and Programme teams to confirm manufacturability, supply readiness and supplier capability

Manage project procurement information, master data and handover documentation for operational purchasing teams

Identify and deliver cost reduction, continuous improvement and total cost of ownership initiatives

Carry out supplier benchmarking, market research and supply chain analysis

Scout, assess and develop new suppliers across UK and international markets

Support supplier audits, qualification activity, capability reviews and performance improvement plans

Monitor supplier performance across quality, delivery, cost and compliance

Maintain supplier approval information and support dual-source coverage for key capabilities

Work across Quality, R&D, Operations and Purchasing to resolve supply chain risks and improve performanceWhat they’re looking for - Strategic Buyer

Experience as a Strategic Buyer, Project Buyer, Commodity Buyer or similar procurement professional

Strong commercial awareness with confidence negotiating pricing, terms and supply agreements

Experience supporting NPI, industrialisation or project-based sourcing activity

Able to assess supplier capability, risk, cost, quality and delivery performance

Good understanding of procurement processes, supplier selection and sourcing strategy

Comfortable using ERP systems, Excel and procurement data to support decisions

Strong supplier and stakeholder management skills across technical and operational teams

Organised, adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities in a changing supply environment

CIPS qualification, or equivalent procurement training and experience

Willingness to travel to suppliers when required, potentially up to 20% 

Desirable - Strategic Buyer

Background in engineering, manufacturing, electromechanical products or technical supply chains

Experience with supplier quality, supplier audits or part qualification activity

Understanding of demand forecasting, stock profiling or inventory planning

Lean or continuous improvement exposure, including 5 Why, DMAIC or waste reduction methods

Experience managing international suppliers and global sourcing activity 

What’s on offer - Strategic Buyer

Strategic Buyer salary: £41,000 – £50,750

A Strategic Buyer role with direct influence across sourcing strategy, supplier capability, NPI and long-term procurement performance.

The chance to work closely with Engineering, Quality and Operations rather than operating in a purely transactional buying role.

A varied, commercially focused opportunity with exposure to international suppliers, product launches and continuous improvement activity.

How to apply for the Strategic Buyer position

If you’re interested in this Strategic Buyer role, get in touch to talk through the scope and supplier portfolio.

Call or message Hayden at Holt Engineering on (phone number removed)