Senior Lead Buyer

Senior Lead Buyer – Healthcare Manufacturing

Are you ready to be part of a business driving real change?
Join a growing healthcare organisation with a rich heritage and a portfolio of specialist subsidiaries across pharmaceuticals and supplements. The business is entering a pivotal phase of transformation, focused on strengthening its procurement and supply chain capability to support continued growth.

About the Role

Buyer (Permanent)
📍 Hybrid working (3 days onsite)

This is a high-impact, hands-on role where you’ll play a key part in stabilising and strengthening procurement operations during a period of organisational evolution.

You’ll be joining a function where structures are still developing, meaning success in this role will rely on your ability to:

* Quickly assess situations

* Make sound, pragmatic decisions

* Operate with both strategic awareness and operational delivery

This role will suit someone with the gravitas to lead from the front, while remaining close to the detail and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.

Key Responsibilities:

* Manage procurement of raw materials and packaging components for pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturing

* Conduct supplier evaluations and manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness

* Work cross-functionally with production, planning, and quality teams to meet customer requirements

* Monitor and manage budgets, costs, and inventory levels to support operational efficiency

* Support the Head of Procurement in strategic sourcing and continuous improvement initiatives

* Play a hands-on role in ensuring continuity during the separation of procurement and supply chain responsibilities

* Contribute to the onboarding, coaching, and development of team members

* Ensure full compliance with MHRA and BRC standards

* Engage directly with customers and suppliers to resolve issues and align expectations

What Makes This Role Different

* A chance to step into a function that is evolving and requires shaping

* Opportunity to have real operational impact in the short term

* Work in an environment where leadership, adaptability, and hands-on delivery are equally valued

* Exposure to complex supply chain challenges, including organisational restructuring

What We’re Looking For

* Proven experience in a Buyer / Procurement role within pharma, food, FMCG, chemicals, or manufacturing

* Ideally experience working in an SME or less-structured environment

* Around 5+ years’ experience in buying/procurement

* MCIPS Level 4 (or working towards) – or equivalent experience

* Strong supplier management, negotiation, and evaluation skills

* Confidence to work in an evolving structure and bring clarity quickly

* Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build credibility across the business

Key Words:

Buyer, Procurement, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Supplier Management, Supplier Audits, MCIPS, Pharma, FMCG, Food, Manufacturing, Production, Healthcare, Packaging, Raw Materials, Compliance, MHRA, BRC
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed