Buyer

Overview

In this role you own the supplier base and all purchasing across two sites, turning demand into orders and protecting delivery dates. You will manage supplier performance, negotiate terms, and defend material lead times to support rapid growth and scale-up. Working closely with Planning, Engineering, and Finance, you help secure cost-competitive supply for aerospace, automotive, defense, and space programs. Your work directly influences on-time delivery and overall profitability while supporting a mission to advance lightweight composite manufacturing.

Pay / Benefits

• private healthcare
• pension scheme
• stock options
• career growth opportunities
• innovation-focused culture
• diversity and inclusion

Responsibilities

• Convert MRP demand into purchase orders in SYSPRO, accurately and on time
• Own the open purchase order book and renegotiate or source alternatives when dates cannot be held
• Maintain single PO per material requirement and ensure correct coding for P&L
• Ensure non-MRP items have proper requisition and approvals
• Resolve invoicing, pricing and receipt queries with Finance and implement DPO and DIO KPIs
• Own supplier base end-to-end: onboarding, performance, and replacements as needed
• Negotiate price, lead time, minimum order quantities, call-off schedules and terms
• Consolidate demand across two sites for volume pricing and second-source critical materials
• Manage subcontract processing suppliers including rates, terms, capacity and quality
• Track supplier on-time delivery and quality metrics monthly
• Own material lead time visibility and provide firm availability quotes at contract reviews
• Assist Business Development and Engineering with costed BOMs and lead times for quotes
• Support procurement for new product introduction and qualification builds
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 and IATF 16949 through supplier management and traceability
• Document and maintain purchasing procedures and governance
• Report on spend, savings, supplier performance and supply risk
• Other duties as the business grows

Key requirements

• Proven buying or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong working knowledge of ERP / MRP purchasing
• Real negotiation experience: price, lead time, terms, recovery when issues
• Solid understanding of BOMs and manufacturing processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data ownership
• Accuracy under pressure and attention to MRP integrity
• Clear communication with cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage priorities across two sites and travel between Gloucester and Swindon
• Willingness to travel regularly and hold a UK driving licence
• Continuous improvement mindset and broad manufacturing knowledge

• strong communication
• problem solving
• data-driven decision making
• SYSPRO (desirable)
• ERP/MRP systems
• costed BOM preparation

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