Strategic Buyer

Overview

As a Strategic Buyer in Bournemouth, you will lead strategic sourcing and supplier development within a fast-paced engineering and manufacturing setting. You will integrate procurement into new product development, ensuring supplier readiness and robust cost management from concept to serial production. You’ll drive supplier performance and cost-reduction initiatives while collaborating across Engineering, Quality and Operations to deliver measurable improvements. This role offers scope to shape procurement practices and deliver long-term business value with cross-functional impact.

Responsibilities

• Represent Purchasing across development projects and ensure procurement readiness for launches
• Integrate sourcing strategies into project activities and manage materials during project phases
• Collaborate with Engineering, Development and Supplier Quality to ensure manufacturability
• Obtain supplier quotations, lead negotiations and establish supplier agreements
• Maintain procurement data and prepare handover documentation for Operational Purchasing
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement efficiency and project execution
• Participate in supplier qualification, auditing and part approval activities
• Conduct supplier visits to assess capability and development opportunities
• Lead supplier market analysis and identify new sourcing opportunities
• Negotiate contracts and drive cost reduction via TCO and benchmarking
• Monitor procurement budgets and establish KPIs
• Manage supplier relationships to support long-term growth

Key requirements

• Provable minimum 3 years in Strategic/Project/Senior Buyer
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills
• Experience in supplier management and development
• Understanding of procurement processes, sourcing strategies and contract management
• Strong analytical skills with data analysis experience
• ERP proficiency and Microsoft Office
• CIPS qualification or equivalent
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Adaptability to market changes and new technologies
• Experience in stock profiling and demand forecasting
• Willingness to travel up to 20%

• stakeholder management
• communication
• analytical thinking
• ERP systems
• Microsoft Office
• market research and data analysis

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