Job Title: Senior Buyer
Location: Christchurch (On-site: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Contract Type: Inside IR35
Duration: Until 31st August 2025 (with potential for extension)
Rate:
* PAYE: £50 per hour (excluding holiday pay, NI, and pension)
* Umbrella: £70 per hour
Working Hours: 37 hours per week (7.4 hours per day)
Clearance Requirements:
* SC clearance is highly desirable.
* Candidates must be UK Nationals and British-born due to project requirements.
* Candidates can start on BPSS clearance if SC clearance is not already in place.
Job Purpose
The Senior Buyer will be a key member of the Procurement and Supply Chain team, supporting the Procurement Manager in establishing robust procurement processes and ensuring compliance with project requirements.
Responsibilities
* Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Quality, Project Management, Engineering, Finance) and suppliers to implement procurement processes for supplier selection, evaluation, and approval.
* Conduct risk-based assessments of suppliers using external environment analysis, business acumen, and supplier intelligence.
* Operate within the governance framework and ensure compliance with EN9100 standards to meet audit requirements.
* Provide guidance on procurement policies to non-procurement staff, demonstrating the value of these processes.
* Implement supplier management techniques and address under-performance issues with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
* Participate in supplier site assessments to identify risks, opportunities for improvement, and follow-up actions.
* Identify and mitigate supplier risks, including financial stability, cyber security, business continuity, and product safety.
* Manage and oversee direct reports, ensuring the accuracy and quality of their work.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including process automation and efficiency enhancements.
Experience Requirements
Experience
* Strong understanding of Procurement and Supply Chain coordination with other functions to achieve shared goals.
* In-depth knowledge of legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements related to procurement.
* Familiarity with the UK Defence Sector, including key market players and the MoD procurement process.
* Skilled in identifying when to escalate issues and engaging senior management for approvals or guidance.
* Proven ability to address performance issues and influence positive outcomes in challenging scenarios.
Technical Skills/Knowledge
* Ability to adapt and balance business outcomes with stakeholder relationships.
* Strong communication and influencing skills, both within the team and with external suppliers.
* Comfortable addressing poor performance and managing difficult situations.
* Proactive problem-solving approach with a focus on risk and opportunity analysis.
* Experience in continuous improvement initiatives and developing solutions to complex challenges.
* Detail-oriented with excellent accuracy in handling procurement activities.
Candidate Requirements
* Knowledge of procurement and supply chain processes within the defence and electronic industries.
* SC clearance is highly desirable but not essential (BPSS acceptable initially).
* Must be UK National and British-born to meet project requirements.