Senior Buyer

Reporting to the Procurement Manager - Coating. The Senior Buyer is responsible for the independent sourcing, negotiation and commercial management of high-value, technically complex and/or business-critical categories within Direct Procurement – Coating.

The role combines hands-on procurement with greater category ownership, commercial accountability and supplier-performance management, delivering measurable value while protecting project and operational requirements.

Working closely with Engineering, Project Delivery and other stakeholders, the Senior Buyer engages early in requirements, provides strong commercial and technical procurement input and acts as the primary commercial interface with assigned suppliers.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Senior Buyer is expected to resolve day-to-day commercial and supply issues independently while supporting the continued development of Procurement processes and capability.

Major Responsbilities

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT & STRATEGIC SOURCING

• Independently manage assigned high-value, complex and/or business-critical categories.
• Maintain a strong understanding of category spend, pricing, supply market, alternative sources and sole-source exposure.
• Lead RFQs and tenders from requirement through evaluation, negotiation, recommendation and award.
• Maintain category sourcing plans aligned with the wider Procurement strategy and proactively identify sourcing opportunities.
• Engage early with Engineering and project stakeholders to understand upcoming requirements and procurement risks.

 LEAD COMMERCIAL NEGOTIATION & COST OPTIMISATION

• Lead supplier negotiations covering price, payment terms, Incoterms, lead times and other procurement-related commercial conditions, in line with agreed strategy.
• Use spend, historical pricing, market intelligence and competitive benchmarking to develop robust negotiation positions.
• Deliver and report measurable cost savings and value improvements against agreed targets.
• Make evidence-based supplier recommendations and present commercial recommendations to senior stakeholders where required.

PROVIDE TECHNICAL & COMMERCIAL PROCUREMENT SUPPORT

• Develop sufficient technical understanding to interpret drawings, BOMs and specifications and engage confidently with Engineering and suppliers.
• Act as the primary commercial interface between assigned suppliers and the business, ensuring pricing, negotiations and commercial commitments are controlled through Procurement.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure procurement activity supports project, operational and delivery requirements.
• Lead procurement and supplier discussions confidently, providing commercial guidance and constructive challenge where appropriate.

STRENGTHEN PROCUREMENT PROCESS & CAPABILITY

• Work with the Procurement Manager to develop and continuously improve Procurement processes, controls and ways of working.
• Take a leading role in producing procurement procedures, work instructions, templates and supporting documentation.
• Support the implementation and adoption of agreed Procurement processes across the function and wider business as the function continues to grow.
• Provide guidance and procurement expertise within the team where appropriate.
• Promote compliance with Procurement policy, governance and delegated authority.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Responsibilities:

1. All employees have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions at work.
2. Employees must conduct assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and comply with all Health, Safety & Environmental rules, policy, procedures, regulations and codes of practice.
3. Employees must co-operate with management and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal obligations.
4. Employees must follow any instructions or health, safety & environmental training provided by the company and report any hazards, injuries or ill health that present a serious and imminent risk and
5. inform your line manager about any shortcomings you identify within your health and safety arrangements.

Job Specific Education Required:
Essential:

• Minimum of 5 GCSE (including Mathematics and English Language).
• CIPS Level 4+ qualification, relevant degree, or equivalent substantial procurement experience managing complex commercial and supplier activity.

Desirable:

• Further professional procurement or commercial qualifications.
• Relevant technical, engineering or manufacturing qualification

Work Experience Required:

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years proven experience in procurement, preferably within the oil and gas industry.
• Experience managing high-value, complex and/or business-critical procurement requirements.
• Demonstrable experience leading RFQs, tenders and competitive sourcing exercises through evaluation, negotiation, recommendation and award.
• Strong track record of commercial negotiation, including pricing, payment terms, Incoterms and lead times.
• Experience managing key supplier relationships, supply-chain risks and commercial escalations.
• Demonstrable delivery of measurable cost savings, cost avoidance or value improvement.
• Experience working cross-functionally with technical and operational stakeholders.

Desirable:

• Experience within Manufacturing, Engineering, Oil & Gas or a similar technical/project-driven environment.
• Experience within coating, engineered products, fabrication or associated direct-material categories.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, BOMs and technical specifications.
• Experience developing or implementing procurement processes, procedures or work instructions.
• Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP and/or IFS.

Skills & Knowledge Required:
Essential:

• Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
• Good understanding of procurement processes and commercial terms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to work independently, prioritise effectively and make sound commercial decisions.
• Strong organisational skills with good attention to detail.

Desirable:

• Technical understanding of engineering/manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of direct-material procurement and associated supply markets.

Requirement to travel: Occasional travel to suppliers or other company sites as required.

We look forward to hearing from you