About us
Kenard Engineering is a well-established precision engineering business, supplying high-quality manufactured components to customers across demanding industries.
We are a friendly, family-run business with a strong focus on quality, service, reliability and continuous improvement. We are now looking to recruit a Junior Buyer to support our purchasing function at our Tewkesbury site.
This is a good opportunity for someone who is organised, commercially aware and keen to develop a career in purchasing within a busy precision engineering and manufacturing environment.
The role
As Junior Buyer, you will support the effective purchasing of goods, materials, consumables and subcontract services required by the business.
You will help ensure that purchased items are obtained at the right price, to the required quality standard, and within the timescales needed to support production and customer requirements.
You will work closely with the Buyer, Stores, Production, Operations, Account Management, Quality and Finance teams to help maintain supply continuity, support supplier performance and ensure purchasing activity is accurately recorded on the company business system.
This is a developing role within the purchasing function and would suit someone who is confident communicating with suppliers, enjoys working in a busy environment and wants to build a career in procurement.
Key responsibilities
Your main duties will include:
- Supporting the purchasing of materials, consumables, subcontract services and indirect supplies.
- Raising purchase orders accurately and in line with company procedures.
- Ensuring purchase orders include the correct approvals, specifications and technical requirements.
- Obtaining prices, lead times and availability from suppliers.
- Supporting supplier negotiations around price, delivery, minimum order quantities and service levels.
- Monitoring supplier acknowledgements and ensuring purchase orders are confirmed, updated and progressed.
- Expediting open purchase orders to support production requirements and customer delivery commitments.
- Communicating with suppliers and internal departments regarding delivery dates, shortages, changes and urgent requirements.
- Identifying potential supply delays early and escalating risks where required.
- Supporting the coordination of collections, deliveries and subcontract logistics.
- Maintaining accurate purchasing data on the company business system.
- Keeping purchasing records clear, accurate and auditable.
- Supporting compliance with company procedures, customer requirements and relevant quality standards.
- Assisting with supplier documentation, traceability requirements and purchasing records.
- Helping to identify opportunities to reduce cost, improve lead times and improve purchasing processes.
What we are looking for
The successful candidate will need:
- Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Strong organisation and administration skills.
- Good attention to detail and accuracy.
- Confident written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to build effective working relationships with suppliers and internal departments.
- The ability to prioritise workload and respond to changing business needs.
- Good numerical and analytical skills.
- A professional, ethical and commercially aware approach.
- A willingness to learn and develop within purchasing and procurement.
Desirable experience
The following would be beneficial, but is not essential:
- Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, stores, planning or manufacturing administration.
- Experience working in an engineering, aerospace, automotive or manufacturing environment.
- Experience using an ERP, MRP or business management system.
- Understanding of ISO9001 and/or AS9100 requirements.
- Basic understanding of engineering drawings, specifications or material traceability.
- Experience dealing with suppliers and subcontractors.
Personal qualities
We are looking for someone who is:
- Reliable and conscientious.
- Organised and methodical.
- Calm under pressure.
- Commercially aware.
- Confident enough to follow up suppliers and challenge delays appropriately.
- A good team player.
- Keen to learn and take on more responsibility over time.
- Able to communicate clearly with people at all levels of the business.
What we offer
- Full-time, permanent employment.
- Salary of £26,000 – £28,000 per annum, depending on experience.
- Company pension.
- On-site parking.
- Supportive working environment.
- Opportunity to develop within purchasing and procurement.
- Exposure to a busy precision engineering and aerospace manufacturing environment.
- The opportunity to build knowledge of supplier management, manufacturing supply chains and quality requirements.
How to apply
Please apply with your CV
Pay: £26,000.00-£28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
