Exciting Opportunity: Senior Buyer - Permanent Position

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:

• 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.