Senior Buyer

Overall purpose of Role:

A results-driven Senior Buyer with a strong specialisation in negotiating cost reductions and driving commercial value across the supply base. The role is responsible for identifying savings opportunities, leading supplier negotiations, and implementing strategic sourcing initiatives that reduce total cost of ownership while maintaining quality, service, and compliance standards.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in procurement, sourcing, or buying roles with a strong emphasis on cost reduction ideally within an engineering focused environment.• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiation and commercial strategy development • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret cost structures and financial data • Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills • Experience managing tenders, contracts, and supplier relationships • Knowledge of procurement best practices, category management, and total cost of ownership principles • CIPS qualification (or equivalent) is desirable

Key Competencies

• Commercial acumen and a cost-focused mindset • Strategic thinking with strong execution capability • Resilience and confidence in challenging supplier pricing • Attention to detail and data-driven decision-making • Effective communication and collaboration skills

Success Measures

• Achieved annual cost savings targets • Improved supplier pricing and contract terms • Increased spend under management and sourcing compliance • Delivery of measurable value beyond cost (e.g., process efficiencies, risk reduction)

Main Responsibilities:

1.  Working as part of a team to ensure that all activities on site are carried out in accordance with the relevant work instruction, adhering to the necessary Company health, safety and environmental requirements and complying with all regulatory current legislation to maintain a safe working environment for all employees.
2.  Maintaining an awareness of the regulatory and Company standards that apply to the role such as H&S, COMAH, Environment, HMRC, FEMAS (food & feed safety), ISO9001. Understand and act in accordance with the Site Emergency Response Plan in the event of an evacuation or major incident, and regularly participate in COMAH improvement activity.
3.  Lead supplier negotiations with a clear focus on achieving sustainable cost reductions and improved commercial terms.
4.  Identify, develop, and execute cost-saving initiatives across all spend categories.
5.  Conduct detailed cost analysis, benchmarking, and market research to support negotiation strategies.
6.  Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while challenging pricing structures and uncovering efficiencies.
7.  Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., operations, finance, engineering) to align procurement strategies with business objectives.
8.  Drive competitive sourcing events (RFPs, RFQs, tenders) to ensure best value outcomes.
9.  Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, and supply risks to proactively identify savings opportunities.
10.  Track, report, and validate cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives.
11.  Ensure contracts and agreements reflect negotiated savings and mitigate commercial risks.
12.  Undertake any training or qualifications that are required to fulfil your role competently and/or to meet changing legislative and safety requirements.
13.  Lead and support continuous improvement activities to deliver productivity and cost efficiencies and improve operational performance.
14.  Any other duties that may reasonably be required in line with your contractual role.