Lead Buyer

Role: Lead Buyer Location: Redditch, Worcestershire Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 per annum An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Lead Buyer to join a well-established engineering and manufacturing business based in Redditch. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys building supplier relationships, driving cost reduction initiatives, and supporting technically complex manufacturing projects. Working closely with Quality, Engineering, Sales, and Operations, you'll play a key role in ensuring the business has a robust, competitive, and resilient supply chain. Key Responsibilities • Lead strategic sourcing and procurement activities across a range of engineering commodities. • Manage RFQs, supplier quotations, tender evaluations, and commercial negotiations. • Develop and maintain strong relationships with UK and global suppliers. • Identify and deliver cost reduction opportunities through strategic sourcing, supplier development, and alternative materials. • Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by sourcing components and suppliers for new projects. • Work collaboratively with Engineering, Quality, Sales, and Operations to deliver customer requirements. • Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, and raw material market fluctuations. • Negotiate supply agreements and support long-term supplier performance improvements. • Support customer and certification audits, including ISO 9001 and EN 9120 requirements. • Provide market insight and supply chain solutions to support business growth. • Drive supplier sustainability initiatives and continuous improvement across the supply base. About You • Previous experience as a Lead Buyer, Senior Buyer, Category Manager, Commodity Manager, Strategic Buyer, or Procurement Manager within an engineering or manufacturing environment. • A strong understanding of manufacturing processes and engineering supply chains. • Experience managing RFQs, supplier negotiations, and strategic sourcing activities. • Knowledge of global sourcing and supplier relationship management. • The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications. • Excellent commercial awareness with strong negotiation and communication skills. • Strong analytical skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel and modern AI productivity tools. • The ability to work independently while building strong relationships across multiple departments. Desirable Experience • Aerospace, defence (MOD), automotive, precision engineering, or industrial manufacturing experience. • Knowledge of fasteners, C-Parts, or engineered components. • Experience supporting ISO 9001 and EN 9120 environments. • An Engineering degree or equivalent qualification.