Senior Buyer jobs
From manufacturing to communications, retail to defence, transport to education - in just about every sector, there is a need for procurement professionals, and Senior Buyers play an important role in ensuring that goods are sourced on time and within budget.
Of course, every position is different, but in most cases, a Senior Buyer will be responsible for finding suppliers, negotiating contracts and seeking ways to reduce costs, improve quality and increase customer satisfaction.
The skills required
Anyone looking to take on a new role as a Senior Buyer should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the intricacies of the purchasing process, as well as the relevant laws and legislation.
Successful candidates should have good organisation and project management skills, while an ability to build relationships with suppliers and stakeholders is also vital. You should be a confident negotiator with a talent for communicating well with a wide range of people.
Knowledge of the various systems and software used within the procurement industry is recommended, as well as the Microsoft Office package - including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
In most cases, a Senior Buyer will be in charge of a team. Therefore, a strong sense of leadership is a must. So is an ability to train, guide and motivate your team and deal with issues as they arise.
Senior Buyer Jobs in the South West
A region that encompasses Bristol, Gloucester, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, as well as the Isles of Scilly, the South West is a diverse area that offers a broad range of opportunities for those seeking Senior Buyer positions.
As demonstrated by the ancient monuments like Stonehenge and the Roman ruins in Bath, the South West has been settled for thousands of years. In fact, the oldest complete human skeleton ever found in the UK was discovered in Cheddar Gorge and dates back to around 7150 BC.
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, much of the South West relied on fishing and shipping, particularly in Bristol, a city which harboured vessels that traded with Ireland, Iceland and the Americas. Later, it became known for coal mining, as well as heavy industry.
Today, aeronautics is an important part of the South West economy, and a number of companies have facilities in the region - such as Airbus UK, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. There's also Defence Equipment and Support - the MoD's procurement and logistics agency.
Cheese, clotted cream and other dairy products are made in the region, with companies including Dairy Crest, which makes Cathedral City and Davidstow. Other food and beverage manufacturers include Ginsters, Ryvita, Kraft Foods UK and Beverage Brands, makers of WKD vodka. Meanwhile GSK manufactures Lucozade and Ribena in Coleford.
In addition, Princess Yachts, Siemens Traffic Controls, Merlin Entertainments, Endsleigh Insurance, Westland Helicopters and Wincanton plc are all based in the region.
Popular locations
Search for Senior Buyer vacancies with Cast UK
Here at Cast UK, we have worked hard to become one of the UK's leading recruiters in the supply chain & Procurement sector. Our team of consultants have all held roles in these fields, giving them a good understanding of what makes the ideal candidate for a position.
In addition, our regional experts have specialist knowledge about the various parts of the country, and we will work with you to understand your objectives and help ensure your career is headed in the right direction.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Senior Buyer for your business or find you a job as a Senior Buyer then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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