Senior Buyer
Senior Buyer
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High Wycombe, UK, hybrid
Join Oxford Instruments – The Business of Science®
At Oxford Instruments, our purpose is to accelerate breakthroughs that create a brighter future. Our cutting\-edge technologies enable scientists and engineers to deliver world\-changing innovations across industries and research.
We’re looking for a Senior Buyer to join our Materials Analysis business unit – a global leader in advanced microscopy and scientific instrumentation. If you thrive in a fast\-paced manufacturing environment and enjoy building strong supplier partnerships, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.
About the Role
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As a Senior Buyer, you will take ownership of procurement activities for a defined category of products and services. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring availability, quality, and cost\-effectiveness of materials, while driving continuous improvement across the supply chain.
This role blends hands\-on operational purchasing with strategic supplier management, giving you the opportunity to influence performance, reduce costs, and shape sourcing strategies.
Key Responsibilities
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Operational Purchasing
- Raise and manage purchase orders in line with MRP requirements
- Monitor supplier delivery performance, lead times, and inventory levels
- Expedite orders and resolve supply chain bottlenecks
- Collaborate cross\-functionally with Production, Engineering, Planning, and Finance
- Support new product introductions through sourcing and prototype ordering
- Proactively identify risks to supply and implement mitigation plans
Supplier Management
- Source, evaluate, and onboard suppliers based on quality, cost, and service
- Lead sourcing projects and present business cases to senior stakeholders
- Build strong supplier relationships and drive performance improvements
- Conduct supplier reviews and site visits
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts
- Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business goals
Cost \& Performance Optimisation
- Identify and deliver cost reduction opportunities
- Analyse data to improve procurement and inventory performance
- Support inventory strategies such as VMI or consignment stock
Compliance \& Quality
- Ensure procurement activities meet internal controls and quality standards
- Resolve supplier quality issues and manage returns
- Support sustainability and ethical sourcing initiatives
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Essential
- Proven experience in procurement or supply chain
- Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong analytical and problem\-solving capability
- Ability to prioritise in a fast\-paced, complex environment
Desirable
- Experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment
- CIPS qualification (or working towards)
- Degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field
- Knowledge of inventory management approaches (e.g. Kanban, VMI)
Wellbeing –
- Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays and the option to purchase up to 12 weeks more
- Employee Assistance Programme; including 24/7 telephone support, access to counselling, financial and debt management and access to trained legal advisors
- Private health insurance, dental insurance and life assurance
- MyDiscounts; save money with a number of leading retailers
- Car salary exchange scheme: sacrifice part of your salary in exchange for a fully serviced, comprehensive insured electric or hybrid vehicle
- TechScheme and CycleScheme: Purchase a bike and/or Tech or home goods from Currys/IKEA and spread the cost over 12 months.
- Pension; all employees are eligible to join the Group Pension Plan administered by AVIVA.
- Share incentive plan: Invest in your future and share in the success of the company by joining the share incentive plan.
- Encouragement and support to achieve professional and or academic qualifications to support your development and growth
- Defined career paths and regular reviews
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