Buyer, NPI, Direct commodities, plastics, off highway North Staffordshire, onsite Excellent basic, enhanced company pension, 25 days holiday Reporting directly to a Purchasing Manager, this role is a pivotal driver of commercial management for a portfolio of parts and services required within a manufacturing location. You’ll combine market insight with strategic acumen to ensure competitive procurement, identify cost-saving opportunities, and deliver results that meet the business's quality and delivery expectations. In addition to managing the supply base within your category, you may take on a ‘Lead Buy’ role, overseeing the creation of supplier strategies, leading negotiations, resolving escalations, and ensuring alignment across Buying Teams. Success in this position requires building strong, constructive relationships with both suppliers and internal stakeholders. The role offers, for the right candidate excellent career progression and development. Unfortunately, the business doesn’t offer sponsorship for overseas candidates. Key Responsibilities 1. Strategy Development & Execution Deliver sourcing strategies for each category area in collaboration with key stakeholders. Identify opportunities to reduce product and service costs while maintaining quality. Monitor technological and market trends to drive innovation and total cost improvements. Create and implement robust plans addressing: Early supplier engagement Cost-saving initiatives Tendering and contracting Capacity management Supplier performance targets 2. Supplier Performance & Delivery Develop effective working relationships with key suppliers to meet performance targets. Ensure suppliers support manufacturing needs, including volume fluctuations and forward planning. Support launch activities, ensuring suppliers meet timing, quality, and cost goals. Address risks via continuous assessment and ensure Business Continuity Plans are in place. 3. Teamwork & Self-Development Foster seamless communication across the supply chain function. Address supplier performance issues promptly and effectively. Support Category Managers and drive your personal development goals. Promote adherence to purchasing policies and procedures. 4. Supply Base Management & Coordination As a ‘Lead Buy,’ responsibilities include: Leading supplier performance reviews and annual negotiations. Creating and publishing technology roadmaps and budgets. Managing payment terms, supplier capacity, and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs). Overseeing Business Continuity Plans and End-of-Life planning. Conducting Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and positioning strategies. Required Skills and Expertise Skills Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Effective team collaboration and conflict resolution abilities. Results-oriented mindset with excellent negotiation capabilities. Knowledge Global Category & Supplier Management. Cost, pricing, and supply contract management. Performance and change management strategies. Financial acumen and contracting expertise. Experience & Qualifications Proven purchasing experience in an engineering or production environment. Experience of reading and interpreting engineering drawings Success in managing multi-disciplinary teams and global stakeholders. Engineering or program management background. Graduate calibre, preferably CIPS qualified. Flexibility to travel as required. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact within a global organization, combining strategic thinking, supplier relationship management, and operational excellence to drive success. If you're a driven professional with a passion for purchasing and a knack for building meaningful partnerships, this is the role for you Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency. In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included