Planner/buyer

**Summary**:
Working closely with the Operational team, the Planner Buyer is responsible for ensuring the effective procurement of goods and services for Sabre Rail in terms of quality, cost and delivery to requirements. Ensuring the review and development of a supplier portfolio to ensure timely, cost effective and risk managed procurement activities to support existing and new product lines.

Continually monitoring and developing supplier performance and resolving non-conformances effectively, to sustain service excellence. deliver the lowest total cost of acquisition, whilst maintaining the appropriate levels of quality and delivery schedule achievement.

**Key Functions**:

- Ensuring supplier relationships and contracts are in line with the strategic objectives of the business. Including contract reviews, audits, site visits, periodic price reviews, performance measurement
- Ensuring that suppliers have the capability to provide material and capacity to meet facility production plans, collaborating with suppliers and internal departments to align supplier plans to production needs.
- Utilise risk rating analysis of suppliers (viable alternatives, quality, cost, delivery performance) to facilitate sustainable supply chain and eliminate monopolisation of the supply chain.
- Maintaining and updating the MRP system with accurate information to ensure stock levels are appropriate to demand.
- Actively collaborate with suppliers to perform root cause corrective actions to resolve any quality and supplier performance issues. This work may require planning for alternate manufacturing methods.
- Managing and performing supplier audits, including site visits to supplier’s premises UK wide, and conducting price reviews
- Monitor and track supplier performance metrics, to ensure peak performance
- Provide Purchasing expertise to facility functions to enable product availability in lower or more cost effective quantities and shorter lead times
- Manage & maintain the Approved Supplier Process.
- RFQ management to support SR & customer expectations
- Support Materials team from enquiry through to production, including supporting the commercial and sales teams
- Provide supplier management guidance and support to other areas of the business
- Continual market assessment and supplier consolidation
- Management of suppliers of consignment stock
- Analysis and review of internal manufacturing capability and ability to in-house supply
- Developing collaborative relationships with critical suppliers to create core customer preference

**Key Results**:

- Strategic procurement of sustainable supplier portfolio
- Continuous improvements to cost, quality and delivery of external supply chain
- Comprehensive reporting and analysis of supplier performance
- Securing added value and competitive advantage through the supply chain for the business and customers

**Essential Skills & Education**
- A full driving license is essential as supplier site visits are required
- Experience in technical procurement using ERP/MRP preferably within an engineering environment
- CIPS qualified or willing to work towards
- Experience of negotiating and bargaining with suppliers
- Experience of recognising areas for improvement, with the drive to assist in the development & implementation of new policies and procedures to meet expected standards
- Adept at prioritising workload and meeting both the Agile and Lean requirements of the business.
- Ability to work inter-departmentally, showing effective communication with peers
- An understanding of the importance of driving continuous improvement, promoting best purchasing practice, knowledge of JIT & KANBAN principles
- Experience in the implementation and review of supplier performance measures
- A self-starter with the drive to deliver organisational strategy
- Proven people skills with the ability to work as part of a close team while effectively handling customer and internal pressures
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven organisational and problem-solving skills

**Desirable Skills & Education**
- HNC/HND/Degree education
- Ability to read technical drawings

**Experience**
- Prior experience in a purchasing role
- Previous experience in a technical environment is advantageous but not essential as thorough training will be given

**Benefits**:
Sabre Rail is a global aftermarket rail specialist with facilities in the UK. Committed to investing in our employees, we can honestly say we genuinely care about our staff. With a high level of employee engagement, we are a positive, dynamic and friendly place to work. A summary of benefits, beyond just working for a great company, includes:

- 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Profit share bonus (non contractual)
- Additional special days leave with service - Home move, wedding, etc.
- Long service recognition, extra holidays at certain service-milestones
- Fully funded training and development scheme, including hig