A global high-tech manufacturer require a Senior Buyer. The Senior Buyer will lead site based procurement activities and will have 1 report. Applicants need procurement experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment.The Senior Buyer will be responsible for ensuing continuity of supplier of materials and services to meet production demand in Southampton. The Senior Buyer will lead procurement activity for the Site and be charged with operational supply chain management objectives - inventory reduction, supplier OTD/OTIF, and improving lead times. There will be opportunity to work strategically with suppliers, operating outside of group agreements.Specific duties of the Senior Buyer include:Strategic ownership of Southampton specific suppliers - obtain quotes, negotiate and establish LTAsOptimise inventory holdings and material flows - seek VMI arrangementsSupport cost reduction activitiesOperational/Tactical Supply Chain Management of vendors working to group agreementsRaising of Purchase Orders in company MRP/ERP systemStakeholder engagement - liaison with engineering in regards to NCR and supplier quality issuesDevelopment of direct reportSenior Operational Buyer applicants should meet the following tasks:Procurement experience as a Buyer, Senior Buyer or Strategic Buyer, Purchasing Manager or Procurement ManagerComfortable working within manufacturing or engineeringExperience of improving supplier performance - hold more inventory, reduce lead times, increased payment terms etcMRP/ERP literacyAn understand of LEAN inventory management strategies.Ability to develop direct report - a less experienced Buyer