Senior Buyer

Company Overview: The company has grown from a small team of 10 to a thriving business with 40 staff members. They are now looking for a dynamic and experienced Senior Buyer to join their team and contribute to their continued growth.

Position: Senior Buyer

Objective: Achieve annual cost savings of £100-150k

Current Spend: £10 million

Suppliers: 150-200 suppliers, with 20 accounting for 80% of spend across 5000 SKUs

Key Responsibilities:

• Sourcing (20%): Identify and source new suppliers to reduce costs and improve supply chain efficiency.
• Negotiation: Proactively negotiate with suppliers to secure favorable terms.
• Supplier Relationships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to enable cost savings and ensure a reliable supply chain.
• Strategic Focus: Transition from tactical to strategic procurement, focusing on long-term cost savings and supply chain stability.
• Out-of-Office: Spend 2 days per month visiting suppliers to gain a deeper understanding of their operations and build stronger partnerships.

Candidate Profile:

• Experience: Buying experience is essential. FMCG experience is desirable but not essential
• Skills:
  • Strong negotiation skills
  • Ability to develop and maintain supplier relationships
  • Experience with stock control is advantageous but not essential
• Qualifications: CIPS certification is beneficial but not essential; relevant experience is preferred.
• Personality:
  • Personable and tenacious
  • Effective in negotiations without being overly aggressive
• Growth Potential: The company plans to grow 10-20% annually over the next decade, offering significant opportunities for career development.