Role purpose

The Operational Buyer will be responsible for purchasing materials and components required to support manufacturing and production schedules. The role will work closely with suppliers, production, planning and other internal teams to ensure materials are available when required while managing inventory, cost, quality and supplier performance.

Key responsibilities

• Purchase electronic components, materials and associated items in line with production requirements.
• Raise and manage purchase orders from placement through to delivery.
• Monitor material requirements and ensure components are available to meet manufacturing schedules.
• Proactively identify and resolve material shortages, late deliveries and other supply issues.
• Expedite suppliers where required and maintain accurate delivery information within the ERP/MRP system.
• Build effective working relationships with existing suppliers and maintain regular communication regarding demand, lead times and delivery performance.
• Monitor supplier performance across delivery, quality and commercial requirements.
• Work closely with Production Planning, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality and other relevant functions to resolve supply issues.
• Manage changing priorities and respond to fluctuations in customer and production demand.
• Support inventory management, helping to balance material availability against excess or obsolete stock.
• Obtain quotations and support supplier negotiations where required.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost, lead time, availability and overall supplier performance.
• Support new product introductions and engineering changes by ensuring required materials are sourced and available.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier and material information within company systems.
• Escalate significant supply risks and work with internal stakeholders and suppliers to develop appropriate recovery plans.

Experience and skills

• Previous purchasing/buying experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience purchasing components or materials against production requirements.
• Comfortable working with ERP/MRP systems and using material requirements to manage purchasing activity.
• Strong supplier management and expediting experience.
• Able to manage shortages, changing priorities and time-critical supply issues.
• Good commercial awareness, including an understanding of pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities and inventory implications.
• Strong communication and supplier relationship management skills.
• Confident working across production, planning, engineering and quality functions.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage a high volume of purchasing activity.
• Strong Excel and general data-management skills.