Buyer

Buyer

Automotive | Advanced Manufacturing | Hybrid Working

Oxfordshire, Strong salary, plus excellent benefits package

Help shape the next generation of world-class technology.

Are you an experienced Buyer who enjoys influencing strategy rather than simply placing purchase orders? Do you thrive in a fast-paced engineering environment where every decision has a direct impact on innovation, quality and business success?

We're looking for a commercially astute Buyer to join a forward-thinking advanced manufacturing business at the forefront of automotive technology. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a key commodity area, working alongside Engineering, Programme Management, Supplier Quality and Manufacturing to deliver exciting new products from concept through to production.

This is far more than a traditional purchasing role. You'll become the commercial owner of your commodity, building strategic supplier partnerships, leading sourcing activities and ensuring suppliers are ready to support ambitious new product launches.

There is no sponsorship for candidates without a valid UK working visa

What You'll Be Doing

As Buyer, you'll play a critical role in delivering new programmes on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading sourcing activities for new product programmes, from supplier selection through to contract award.
• Negotiating commercial agreements, pricing and long-term supplier contracts that deliver exceptional value.
• Developing and implementing commodity strategies that support business growth and future technology programmes.
• Building strong, strategic relationships with suppliers while driving performance improvements and cost optimisation.
• Working closely with Engineering, Programme Management and Operations throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Managing supplier readiness and industrialisation activities to ensure successful programme launches.
• Supporting production by resolving commercial and supply chain challenges quickly and effectively.
• Analysing market trends, raw material indices and commercial data to make informed sourcing decisions.
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement, cost reduction and supply chain optimisation.
• Supporting prototype, experimental and future technology projects where required.
• Acting as a key escalation point for supplier and logistics issues.
• Contributing to the ongoing development of procurement processes and best practice across the business.

What We're Looking For

You'll be an experienced procurement professional who enjoys balancing commercial negotiation with technical collaboration.

We're interested in people who can demonstrate:

• Previous experience in a Buyer or Commodity Buyer position.
• Experience within automotive, engineering or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Strong commercial negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Knowledge of manufacturing cost drivers and cost reduction methodologies.
• Experience interpreting raw material markets, pricing indices and commercial data.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• A proactive, organised approach with excellent communication skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Desirable Experience

• Tier 1 Automotive experience.
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
• MCIPS qualified or currently studying towards CIPS.

Why Join?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an innovative engineering business developing cutting-edge technologies for some of the world's leading automotive manufacturers.

You'll enjoy:

• Hybrid working (typically 2 to 3 days in the office).
• The opportunity to influence supplier strategy and business performance.
• Exposure to exciting new technology programmes.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Innovation and Manufacturing teams.
• Career development within a growing, high-performance procurement function.
• Opportunities to travel and build relationships with suppliers across the UK and internationally.

If you're looking for a role where your commercial expertise genuinely shapes the success of innovative engineering programmes, we'd love to hear from you.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.