Materials Buyer

Job Description:

Materials Planner / Buyer
Location: Leicester
Salary: £35,000 – £38,000 
Hours: 38 hours per week (Mon–Thu 07:30–16:15, Fri 07:30–12:30)
 

Are you an experienced Materials Planner / Buyer from a manufacturing or engineering background, looking for a role where you can really influence cost, quality and on-time delivery?

We’re recruiting a Materials Planner / Buyer for an established Leicester-based manufacturing business. You’ll join a busy procurement team and take responsibility for planning, sourcing and managing materials and components used in a range of engineered products supplied into UK and international markets.

If you enjoy negotiating with suppliers, working with engineering drawings and making sure production has what it needs, when it needs it, this could be a great fit.

The role – Materials Planner / Buyer

As a Materials Planner / Buyer, you will:

• Plan and procure materials and components in line with project and production requirements.

• Ensure parts are purchased at competitive prices and delivered on time to support manufacturing schedules.

• Use ERP/MRP systems to manage demand, stock levels and purchase orders.

• Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers where needed, negotiating terms, discounts and volume agreements.

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, focusing on quality, reliability and cost.

• Monitor supplier performance (OTD, quality, cost) and address any issues.

• Support cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives within the purchasing function.

• Ensure all purchasing activity complies with ISO 9001 procedures and internal policies.

• Check that ordered materials meet required technical and quality standards.

About you

To be considered for this Materials Planner / Buyer role, you must have:

• Proven experience as a Buyer / Materials Planner in a manufacturing or engineering company.

• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.

And ideally you will also:

• Hold a CIPS qualification or be actively working towards CIPS.

• Have strong negotiation and communication skills, confident dealing with suppliers at all levels.

• Be proficient with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).

• Have high attention to detail, strong organisational skills and a proactive approach.

Desirable:

• Experience using EFACS or a similar business system.

What’s on offer

• Salary £35,000 – £38,000, depending on experience.

• 38-hour working week with a Friday early finish (07:30–12:30).

• OTD bonus scheme.

• 4.5% contributory pension.

• Life insurance (3x salary).

• Health cash plan and cycle to work scheme.

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.

• Free on-site parking + free tea & coffee.

• Stable, long-established manufacturing business with a supportive team culture.

If you’re an experienced Materials Planner / Buyer from a manufacturing or engineering environment, with CIPS (or working towards it), please apply with your CV to be considered.