SENIOR BUYER CAERPHILLY PERMANENT FULL TIME SALARY £37,500-£40,000 As Senior Buyer, you will be responsible for the acquisition of goods and services required to assure on-time deliveries and customer satisfaction, whist adopting a strategic focus on process improvement and departmental advancement. This position will not only require strong procurement skills but also a proactive approach to drive efficiency, standardisation and continuous improvement. Responsibilities: • Deputise for Purchasing Manager • Train and coach team members • Manage job packs coming into the department and allocate them to team members • Monitor and ensure understanding of supplier's price, quality, delivery and service performance to ensure it meets Company expectations. Take corrective action when required • Identify quality, cost, and delivery improvement opportunities, and drive them through to completion • Review commodity and market trends to ensure the Company is sourcing from the best possible supply base • Identify, plan, manage and execute cost saving programs through establishing mutual confidence with potential and ongoing suppliers • Lead negotiations with external suppliers for terms and conditions, long term agreements, NDAs etc • Make strategic decisions that deliver on Quality, Cost and Delivery to support the job requirements • Responsible to utilise the tools to assist in should cost analysis for components • Initiate continuous improvement activities to improve purchasing procedures and increase efficiency • Lead supplier evaluation activities • Lead in the development of commodity long term strategy • Understand manufacturing and system processes/procedures and challenge design/processes to optimise lead time and cost • Generation and execution of request for information (RFIs) & request for quotation (RFQs) • Open order book management to ensure all parties are aligned, report any issues or concerns • Ensure any potential shortages are treated with urgency, report any issues or concerns • Identify, assess, and manage supply chain risks • Support supplier development / quality initiatives • Actively support goods in discrepancies / invoice queries • Ensure communication to suppliers is of a consistently high standard • Ensure all KPI's are reported and updated in accordance with requirements • Reports directly to the Purchasing Manager but will regularly be in dialogue with all departments across all levels Essential criteria • 2-5 years' experience in purchasing, most preferably within industrial industry • UK Drivers Licence to visit suppliers, may be required to visit suppliers globally • Must have previous experience of global sourcing and buying for manufactured products • Strong negotiation skills • A strong understanding and experience with ERP systems, ideally Sage • Must be computer literate, communicate accurately and effectively • Must have very good skills in Microsoft Office (especially in Microsoft Excel) • Have an appreciation of wider business demands • Ability to work well with others in a team, providing input and feedback in a professional manner • Ability to work to tight deadlines and to work under pressure • Proactive and positive approach, with a desire to succeed both personally and for the business Desirable criteria MCIPS accredited or degree equivalent is desirable but not essential, alternatively relevant experience in lieu of the qualifications Benefits • Annual salary of £37,500-£40,000 • 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 days with service • Employer pension contributions of up to 6% • Private Healthcare (BUPA), subject to service • Income Protection, subject to service • Life Assurance • Discounted shopping vouchers • Tech Scheme • Cycle to Work Scheme By applying you're giving consent for Recruitment Solutions Workforce Ltd, to contact you regarding this job and other vacancies we're recruiting for. Recruitment Solutions Workforce Limited offers the services of an employment agency for permanent roles and an employment business for temporary roles