How you will make an Impact (Job Summary)
SPX is a diverse team of unique individuals who all make an impact. As a Senior Buyer, you will be responsible for supporting strategic sourcing, project procurement and day-to-day supply chain activity within a technical manufacturing environment. This hands-on role will contribute to cost reduction, supplier performance, continuity of supply and New Product Introduction (NPI), working closely with Engineering, Project Management and Operations to support successful project delivery and reliable supply.
What you can expect in this role (Job Responsibilities)
While each day brings new opportunities at SPX, your core responsibilities will be:
1. Lead sourcing and project procurement activity:
- Lead sourcing activity for new product introduction, engineering changes and cost reduction projects.
- Work closely with Engineering to influence sourcing decisions, support design-for-supply and identify commercially viable solutions for prototype and production requirements.
- Support successful project delivery by balancing technical, commercial, cost and supply requirements.
2. Manage supplier performance, risk and commercial outcomes:
- Manage supplier relationships across cost, quality, delivery, capacity and risk.
- Visit suppliers where required to support relationship management, supplier development, issue resolution and sourcing activity.
- Identify and implement opportunities for cost reduction, supplier consolidation and process improvement.
3. Support supply continuity and procurement operations:
- Support continuity of supply through proactive management of lead times, obsolescence, single-source risk and supplier performance.
- Use ERP/MRP systems to manage demand, purchasing parameters, inventory and procurement reporting.
- Deputise for the Group Supply Chain Manager when required and provide support across the wider procurement workload in a small-team environment.
What we are looking for (Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education)
We each bring something to the table, and we are looking for someone who has:
Required Experience
- Proven senior buying experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment; at least 12 months in a current role at this level and 5+ years in procurement.
- Demonstrable experience supporting projects, NPI or project-based procurement activity.
- Strong technical understanding, ideally across electronic, electrical and mechanical components.
- Ability to work confidently with Engineering, Planning, Quality and Operations to balance technical and commercial requirements.
- Strong negotiation, supplier development and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience managing supplier performance, lead-time risk, obsolescence and cost reduction activity.
- Comfortable operating in a small, hands-on procurement team with a broad remit.
- ERP/MRP experience.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- IFS experience would be advantageous.
- CIPS qualification, or working towards it, would be beneficial.
- Experience contributing to supplier consolidation and process improvement initiatives.
- Strong collaboration skills across technical, operational and commercial stakeholders.
Education & Certifications
- Relevant degree, apprenticeship, professional qualification or equivalent experience in procurement, supply chain, engineering, manufacturing or a related discipline.
- CIPS qualification, or progress toward CIPS, preferred.
Travel & Working Environment
- Based in Bristol with hybrid working: office days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- Supplier visits may be required to support relationship management, supplier development, issue resolution and sourcing activity.
