Category Buyer

The post holder will be responsible for responsible for managing the most critical and highest value direct direct materials within the metallics, machined and sheet metal commodities including supply relationships and sourcing strategies. This includes large and complex sourcing and outsourcing projects through evaluation and execution. Aiding the design of a robust commodity strategy to support the business goals and provding a global category focal point for the business.

Responsibilities

• Manage the outsourced spend for metallics, machined components, and sheet metal categories
• Build and maintain scalable and critical supplier relationships within precision machining and fabricated metals
• Deliver significant and sustained cost savings for your category, on an on-going basis
• Build, maintain and evolve Make vs Buy strategies, identifying core in-house vs outsource opportunities with our internal machine shop
• Support product development teams in sourcing strategies for new components
• Conduct strategic sourcing and supplier evaluations; conducting RFPs / tender / commercial negotiation processes
• Manage multiple supplier relationships and projects to balance supply chain competition
• Secure a global supply base that meets the organisation's cost and performance targets
• Drive continuous improvements for the Metallics Category
• Negotiate and implement LTAs and subcontracts
• Develop and maintain expert knowledge of global metal machining and sheet metal supply markets
• Regularly review supplier performance against KPIs such as Material Price Variance, LeadTime, and On-Time Delivery
• Act as escalation point in support of the Material Planning team to ensure component availability for production
• Monitor and address technical manufacturing challenges related to metal components and collaborate with engineering to drive process improvements.

Reward

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus (linked to company performance)
• 33 days annual leave (Increase after 5 years' service)
• 37.5 hours per week
• Flexi time working
• £5,000 employee referral bonus
• Health cash plan
• Contributory Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme - Salary Sacrifice
• Electric Car Scheme - Salary Sacrifice
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance Scheme at x4 gross salary
• Competitive enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• IVF & Assisted Conception Policy
• Women in Business - Corportate Member
• Wellbeing Initiatives
• Employee Recognition scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Local charity / sponsorship activities
• Dedicated employee parking
• Discounted Gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career progression

Requirements

Essential

• Category Supply Market knowledge of global metal, machining and sheet metal supply
• markets
• Proven track record of managing strategic sourcing processes and critical supplier relationships
• Experience of leading sourcing evaluation process and outsourcing
• Experience and knowledge of specialist manufacturing processes and related costs / efficiencies with the machining and sheet metal sector
• Demonstrable understanding of Make Vs Buy, in relation to assembly / sub assembly / components and related procurement strategic decision making
• Understanding of key cost drivers that ensure commercial business decisions in partnership with design
• Experience across a range of materials (can include alloys, steels and some specialised plastics
• 3rd level Qualification, or demonstrable equivalent
• Experience of MS Office suite of applications and ERP based systems
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Strong understanding of metallics manufacturing processes, machining tolerances, and sheet metal fabrication methods

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of latest technologies that position the business to leverage smart, future solutions for Seating
• CIPS qualification

We reserve the right to enhance criteria on shortlisting.

Thompson Aero Seating is an Equal Opportunities employer.

The closing date for applications is the 30th November 2025 at 17:00.

For further infomation contact