Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer
Permanent post
Based in Derby
minimum 3 days on site
up to 50,000PA + up to 10% bonus and excellent pension scheme.
Key Responsibilities / Role Purpose
Responsible for supporting Managers in the sourcing of materials and services to support the strategies underpinning the procurement requirements of the business. Ensuring that the best value for money is obtained, while adhering to the highest level of quality and supplier performance

Acting as the interface between the engineering/project management function and rest of the team, ensuring that all service levels are achieved, and issues/warranties are escalated in a timely manner. Developing an understanding of synergies that may exist across the different categories/fleets/projects across the business to ensure all procurements are achieving optimum efficiency

Responsibilities
Implement Procurement categories strategies
Implement agreed category strategies for the procurement on key categories. These must be in line with the overall procurement strategy and will be delivered to provide the best value and quality for the business, ensuring that it remains in line with customers' requirements and with an eye on future innovations
Be seen as the Procurement subject matter experts on their assigned categories, and the benefits they can deliver to the customer and end user
Manage the end-to-end procurement process for categories, from RFP through to end supplier management, including, and not limited to:
Identify opportunities for new services through the use of innovative products to customers
Supporting project managers with the warranty process, working with internal customers and external suppliers to resolve any disputed claims
Supporting the management of Free Issue Materials (FIM) to ensure successful delivery into projects
Where appropriate, tracking supplier performance against the contractual service level agreements, ensuring feedback from other functions is received and acted upon. Escalate any issues in a timely manner, both externally to the supplier and internally within the commercial function
Developing the Procurement Function
Support the overall drive for cost efficiencies across the procurement function
Support the development of procurement processes and systems
Support the delivery of quality accreditations, including the ISO 20400 in sustainable procurement
Working as part of the procurement function, supporting the development of the overall strategy and annual business plan
Actively participate in any supplier events and engage in a programme to manage the relationships with all suppliers on a regular basis. This will be supported by the managing of KPIs across the supply base
Support other functions (Finance/Commercial/Fleet) in the internal planning and budgeting for WLMP/FQP
Supporting Business Objectives
Support the commercial and innovation processes with knowledge of relevant categories, how they are developing and the costs for implementation
Support the project managers and other functions during the operational phase of a contract/project and be seen as the point of escalation for commercial issues with the supply base
Other Duties
Work effectively with other functions/departments, often as part of cross-functional teams
Operate in line with the organisation's values and behaviours
Ensure that all products procured comply with all environmental, ethical and health and safety legislation
Support both the function and business in the drive for continuous improvement
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
General Requirements
An individual who is a self-starter and is effective working either alone or as part of a team to complete the job to the highest level. Excellent technical knowledge/awareness of key railway sub-systems, along with knowledge of the latest digital and electronic systems and the future opportunities offered in these areas for rail is desirable
Able to take a pragmatic approach to challenges, actively solve problems before they become issues and escalating at the right time. Experience of taking full accountability for the end to end procurement processes, with a track record in achieving quality results
An ambitious and driven individual, with a track record in procurement. Experience of Oracle systems would be desirable
Qualifications
Educated to degree or further education standard, preferably in either Engineering, Law, or Business Management
An MCIPS, or better, qualification from the Chartered Institute of Procurement would be preferred (or working towards this)
Knowledge
Extensive procurement experience as a Senior Buyer, gained within an engineering environment
Knowledge of railway industry rolling stock and components, essential
Legal or commercial experience would be advantageous
Track record of working to and exceeding KPIs
Knowledge of Oracle-based systems
Key Skills
Commercially astute with excellent understanding of contracting
Well organised and experienced in working under pressure
Experience of e-procurement systems (desirable)
Numerate with strong analytical skills
Microsoft Excel skills at intermediate level
Excellent oral and written communication skills

If interested send your CV to (url removed) or feel free to call me on (phone number removed).