Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer
Location: Essex
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

About the Role
We are currently partnering with a leading UK-wide distributor, who operates a large product range with export and domestic operations. They’re seeking a commercially astute Senior Buyer to join their procurement team and drive strong category performance.
This is a pivotal role where you’ll take ownership of sourcing strategy, supplier relationships, and cost-management for key product lines, contributing directly to margin growth, inventory optimisation, and long-term profitability.

Key Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end procurement cycle: issue RFQs, evaluate quotations, negotiate terms, place orders, and manage supplier performance.
Develop and execute sourcing strategies across the product range.
Identify and evaluate new suppliers globally, ensuring they meet quality, compliance, and cost standards.
Work closely with internal stakeholders (sales, technical, logistics) to align buying strategies with business demand and delivery schedules.
Analyse market trends, cost drivers, and product performance data to deliver cost savings while maintaining product quality.
Monitor inventory levels, lead times, and forecast demand to reduce risk and improve working capital.
Implement and maintain procurement policies, standards, and KPIs to ensure best-in-class purchasing performance.About you
You have significant experience working in buying / procurement, preferably in a wholesale, import, reseller environment.
Excellent commercial acumen: comfortable analysing costs, negotiating with suppliers, and influencing decisions.
Solid relationship-building skills: strong supplier management, contract negotiation, and stakeholder engagement.
Systems-savvy: competent in using procurement or ERP tools to track KPIs, supplier performance, and purchasing metrics.
Analytical thinker: able to evaluate market trends, make data-driven decisions, and present insights clearly.
A self-starter who is not afraid to take calculated risks to drive value.
Ideally qualified (or working towards) CIPS.Why This Is an Excellent Opportunity
Work within a market-leading distributor, supplying a vast range of industrial and trade products globally.
Exposure to a broad and technically varied product catalogue.
Influence major commercial decisions and drive significant cost-savings and margin improvements.
A collaborative, fast-paced environment with strong potential for professional development and progression.Interested?
If you are interested in the role please do apply via the link attaching your cv