Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer
Location: Staffordshire
Salary: £32,000 – £38,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Monthly Paid
5% matched pension
UNUM – Critical illness insurance
Simply Health – Health Cash Plan
Death In Service – 1x Annual Salary
25 days Annual leave, plus BH’s and 1 additional day to celebrate birthday.
Hours: Mon – Thurs 8am till 17:15pm, Fri 8am till 12pm.
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join a fast-paced and dynamic procurement team. This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end tender process across the supply chain, from initial enquiry through to production order launch.
You will play a key role in influencing supplier selection, negotiating commercial terms, and ensuring optimal outcomes across quality, cost, and delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented professional who thrives under pressure and enjoys building strong supplier relationships.
Key Responsibilities
Supplier & Stakeholder Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders
Communicate effectively on day-to-day procurement activities
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support supplier selection decisions
Engage with customers where required to support supply chain solutions
Escalate unresolved issues to senior management
Tender & Procurement Management
Manage RFQs (Request for Quotations) from enquiry through to order placement
Review tender documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness
Present multiple sourcing options and business cases to stakeholders
Ensure all procurement data (pricing, lead times, terms) is accurate prior to order release
Cost & Commercial Negotiation
Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions with suppliers
Drive cost reduction initiatives and challenge supplier price increases
Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation and improved buying power
Support management of purchase price variance (PPV)
Ensure favourable payment terms and rebate agreements where applicable
Quality & Compliance
Ensure all supplier proposals meet internal and customer expectations
Accurately complete and review quotation documentation
Support supplier onboarding and ensure correct terms are in place
Maintain high standards of data accuracy across procurement systems
Delivery & Performance
Manage supplier delivery performance to achieve high OTIF (On-Time In-Full) targets
Monitor and meet RFQ deadlines and ensure right-first-time submissions
Maintain accurate lead time data and challenge discrepancies
Health & Safety
Adhere to all health & safety standards and promote a safe working environment
Key Skills & Experience
Proven experience in a Senior Buyer / Procurement / Supply Chain role
Strong negotiation and commercial awareness
Experience managing RFQs and supplier tenders
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
High attention to detail and strong organisational skills
Proficient in procurement systems and Microsoft Office
Performance Metrics
Supplier delivery performance (OTIF)
RFQ accuracy and deadline adherence
Reduction in purchase price variance (PPV)
Supplier base optimisation
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed