Full job descriptionRole: 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.