Buyer
Reference: 932728
Location: Burnley
Type: FTC (12 months), Full-time
Sector: Energy and Infrastructure
Description
Our Client is a leading global expert in the provision of welding and coating services and operates in several jurisdictions around the world.
The Role
The Buyer is responsible for the sourcing, negotiation and commercial management of goods and services to support project delivery and operational requirements.
The role has primary accountability for creating and managing purchase orders, ensuring all commitments are commercially aligned, accurately documented and placed in line with project timelines. The Buyer owns supplier relationships within allocated categories, negotiates pricing and payment terms, and manages supplier performance to protect delivery reliability and margin. Working closely with Project Delivery Managers, Engineering, Workshop, Commercial and Finance teams, the Buyer ensures procurement activity supports project schedules, financial controls and governance requirements.
This role plays a key part in strengthening procurement, supporting ERP transition (SAP to IFS), and building long-term supply chain resilience.
Key Responsibilities
Create and manage purchase orders in line with project and operational requirements.
Review and convert MRP requisitions into accurate and commercially aligned purchase orders. Ensure purchase orders reflect agreed pricing, lead times, payment terms and contractual conditions prior to supplier commitment.
Validate specifications, quantities and delivery requirements before order placement.
Lead RFQs and competitive sourcing exercises.
Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and commercial conditions.
Establish and maintain sustainable supplier credit arrangements aligned to company cash flow strategy.
Manage commercial agreements within assigned categories.
Own supplier relationships within allocated categories
Monitor delivery performance and commercial compliance. Conduct structured performance discussions where required. Identify and mitigate supply risk.
Work collaboratively with Finance to support stable supplier trading relationships.
Support restoration and maintenance of agreed payment terms. Resolve commercial disputes and pricing discrepancies.
Align procurement activity with project and operational requirements.
Ensure purchase orders reflect agreed commercial terms and accurate specifications. Communicate supply risks impacting cost or delivery.
Key Requirements
Skills & Experience
Job Specific Education Required:
GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English Desirable
CIPS qualified or working towards certification
Experience with ERP systems (SAP, IFS advantageous)
Work Experience Required:
Previous experience in a Buyer role within Manufacturing, Engineering, Energy or Construction environment.
Demonstrated experience running RFQs and negotiating commercial terms.
Experience managing supplier relationships and resolving commercial disputes.
Experience negotiating and managing payment terms.
Exposure to project-based manufacturing environments.
Experience supporting ERP transitions or system improvement initiatives.
Skills & Knowledge Required:
Strong commercial awareness and negotiation capability.
Understanding of payment terms, cash flow impact, and supplier credit management.
Ability to manage multiple sourcing activities within a project-driven environment.
Proficient in SAP and Microsoft Office (Excel particularly).
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Confident communicator able to influence suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Proactive risk identification and escalation capability.
Engineering knowledge or technical understanding.
Due to current workloads, Simpson Booth regrets to inform that in the instance you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of your application, you are to consider your application unsuccessful at this time.