Buyer / Purchaser

Senior Buyer

Location: Chesterfield
Salary: Up to £50,000

The Opportunity

We are working with a well-established engineering and manufacturing business that is looking to appoint an experienced Senior Buyer to join its procurement function.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially driven procurement professional with experience in steel fabrication, engineering, manufacturing or a similar industrial environment.

You will take ownership of purchasing activities, supplier relationships and procurement improvements, helping to ensure a reliable supply of materials, goods and services while driving cost efficiencies, process improvements and operational performance.

The role will also involve providing leadership and guidance to a small procurement team, supporting their development and helping to implement best-practice purchasing processes.

The Role

As Senior Buyer, your responsibilities will include:

Managing the procurement of materials, goods and services, balancing cost, quality and delivery.
Leading and supporting a small procurement team through coaching, mentoring and guidance.
Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships and ensuring continuity of supply.
Identifying supply chain risks and implementing effective solutions and alternative sourcing options.
Supporting continuous improvement across procurement processes and procedures.
Negotiating supplier agreements, pricing and commercial terms to achieve best value.
Monitoring supplier performance, market trends and opportunities for cost savings.
Ensuring procurement policies and processes are consistently followed.
Resolving supplier issues relating to pricing, quality, delivery and invoicing.
Producing procurement reports and KPI updates to support business reviews and decision-making.

About You

The successful candidate will have:

Proven purchasing or procurement experience within steel fabrication, engineering, manufacturing or a similar industrial environment - essential.
Strong commercial awareness with excellent negotiation and decision-making skills.
Experience managing supplier relationships and improving procurement performance.
Knowledge of lean inventory management and supply chain optimisation.
A proven ability to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or service.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Strong attention to detail with a structured and organised approach.
Good IT skills, including strong Excel capability.
A collaborative approach with the ability to influence and engage teams across the business.
CIPS qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Join?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established and growing business where you can make a genuine impact. You'll have the opportunity to develop supplier partnerships, improve procurement processes, support a small team and play an important role in the company's ongoing operational and commercial performance.

For further information, please contact Sharon O'Donnell or Sabrina O'Donnell at The Highfield Company
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed