Technical Buyer
North Devon
Permanent
Salary £40k

 
Accountability
 

• Sourcing of mechanical and electronic components, sub contract parts, assemblies and printed circuit boards
• Delivery of VA/VE solutions generated through supplier collaboration
• Interface with Engineering to ensure support to new product introduction (NPI)
• Management of the strategic sourcing process 
• Development & improvement of commodity performance through analysis and supplier selection
• Work with the purchasing & legal departments to facilitate implementation of supplier agreements that will drive total cost & inventory reduction strategies
• Management of supplier contract compliance
• Ensure excellent customer quality and delivery service levels while driving improved supplier performance
• Forecasting price trends and their impact on future activities

 
 
Main Tasks 

• Purchasing for specific projects and responding to engineering change requirements, and ordering the required components in line with engineering releases and required timescales
• Identify suitable suppliers and monitor their performance and competitiveness, negotiate the price of technical products ensuring the best acquisition cost
• Initiate, supervise and track communication between R&D/NPI and suppliers
• Interrogate systems and KPI’s to measure, control and improve company purchasing spends
• Benchmark current supply base to prove cost/quality competitiveness
• Implement cost down activities across all areas of organization including make or buy and non-production items
• Develop commodity business activity plans in line with agreed targets on cost reduction, quality and delivery
• Manage the rationalisation of supplier base and introduce supplier development programmes for key suppliers
• Manage cost down and continuous improvement programmes in purchasing
• Actively develop the use of tendering processes to locate and secure the best possible sources of supply
• Ensure systems are in place to effectively manage established supplier contracts
• Negotiate contracts with current/new supply base and issue blanket PO’s to successful vendors
• Actively promote world class purchasing standards and techniques for the business with a focus on continuous improvement
• Ensure compliance with Contracts & Procurement policies and procedures

 
Particular Knowledge/Practical Experience
 

• Ability to think strategically with an innovative approach to problem solving
• Excellent negotiation skills with proven track record of cost reduction through use of appropriate strategic purchasing tools
• Experience in subcontract management
• Ability to engage in basic contract negotiations and develop contracts in standard form; create basic project plans and manage source plan and implementation across functions and sites
• Spreadsheet skills and proficient use of Microsoft Office products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and ERP systems experience required to support procurement decision making
• CIPS qualifications desirable or equivalent degree in Business Studies, Electronics or Mechanical Engineering
• Ability to analyse and evaluate quotations submitted by potential suppliers to assure that the quality, quantity, delivery terms, and costs are acceptable.
• Excellent communication skills required with the ability to communicate appropriately with all levels
• Must have the ability to handle complex problems, make sound decisions and work independently under the pressure of a heavy workload with significant time restrictions
• Experience in purchasing mechanical and electronic components and assemblies
• Have a strong understanding of technical drawings and bills of materials and possess a knowledge of precision manufacturing processes
• Confident in negotiating price / lead time balance in order to maximise value

 
  Please contact Andy 01271 349745 at Cooper Golding for further information