Technical Buyer

**Job Summary**:
This is a critical role within IMI Thompson Valves Ltd, and as Technical Buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing the correct products and services at the right time and price in line Material Requirements Planning, (MRP) requirements and approved requests in order to support the business plan and predicted stock levels. Focusing on sub-contract supply, the post will require close liaison with other members of the purchasing team and various other departments within the organisation.

**Responsibilities**:
Duties will include but not be limited to:

- Purchase components as required and directed in line with requirements generated via the MRP system, ensuring On Time, In Full (OTIF) requirements are fully achieved.
- Review MRP rescheduling requirements and make informed decisions from outcome.
- Continually review data and suggest changes to buying & stocking patterns to optimize best practice eg. improve stock turns, reduce stock, lead time, cost saving etc.
- With a full understanding of sub-contractor capabilities, issue Requests for Quotations (RFQs), drawing releases, analysing quotes, and setting up new part replenishment profiles,.
- Contribute and lead supplier negotiations, with the support of the Purchasing Team Leader and Purchasing Manager.
- Review Supplier Performance and Support Supplier Improvement activities; working closely with Suppliers and Supplier Quality Engineers. Highlight supplier issues and performance concerns to the Purchasing Team Leader.
- Analyse Bills of Material (BoMs) and engineering drawings to understand key manufacturing requirements.
- Represent purchasing in internal cross functional project meetings providing status updates relating to all the above activities.
- Ensure all purchasing activities are completed in a controlled and professional manner in line with the demands of the business.
- Liaise with suppliers to ensure quality, commercial and delivery targets are achieved in keeping with the business requirements.
- Provide information and support as required to departmental managers and other internal customers which will include but not be limited to delivery dates and pricing for products.
- Proactively expedite of outstanding orders with suppliers to ensure there is no impact on production schedules.
- Assist in the development of Suppliers in line with the needs of the business and in accordance with the supplier reduction/rationalisation program.
- Visit suppliers to establish core strengths and build sound and professional supplier relationships.
- Perform other such duties commensurate with the nature and level of the post as may be reasonably required.

**The Person**:
**Essential Criteria**:

- 4 GCSEs including grade C or above in English and Maths or equivalent qualification or experience.
- Significant experience in a similar Purchasing role within a technical engineering environment, with a good understanding of technical information.
- Hold CIPS Level 4 or are studying for CIPS Level or equivalent Purchasing qualification.
- Good understanding and working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems.
- Experience of ‘Pull Systems’ Kanban etc.
- Skilled in the reading of engineering drawings.
- Experienced in utilising sub-contract manufacturers and understanding their capabilities.
- Methodical and organised in the execution of work.
- Reliable and dependable.
- Self-motivated, enthusiastic and target focused.
- Proactive with a positive attitude, demonstrating the ability to identify solutions to challenges.
- Demonstrable desire to succeed and to work as part of a team and work independently.
- Ability to learn new skills and procedures.
- Determined to see a job through to a satisfactory conclusion.
- Customer focused and fully committed to continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Negotiation and analytical skills.
- Commitment to work to deadlines and determined to see a job through to a satisfactory conclusion whilst remaining calm under pressure.
- High level of attention to detail.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Standard business tools (specifically Excel).