Rodeo
Get started

STS Defence

Buyer

Gosport
Posted about 17 hours ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

Role Overview

As a Buyer, you’ll play a key role within the Procurement team, working closely with the Senior Buyer to source and manage a diverse portfolio of engineering components, materials, and services. You’ll help ensure the best balance of cost, quality, and delivery performance while supporting the procurement process from requirement through to supply. This includes interpreting and converting Bills of Materials (BoMs) into purchasing requirements, helping to keep projects on track and supply chains running efficiently.

The Buyer will also support the Senior Buyer in improving purchasing processes to increase efficiency and deliver value across the business.

Key Responsibilities

  • Requesting Quotations: From approved and prospective suppliers
  • Analysing Quotations: Selecting suppliers based on price, quality, delivery, and capability
  • Raising Purchase Orders: Issuing purchase order numbers in accordance with company procedures
  • Leading Negotiations: With suppliers to achieve cost reductions and improved commercial terms
  • Maintaining Relationships: Developing effective relationships with the supply base
  • Ensuring Competitive Pricing: Purchasing parts, materials, and services at competitive prices and delivered on time without compromising quality
  • Evaluating New Suppliers: Identifying and evaluating new suppliers
  • Negotiating Terms: Improved payment terms, supplier agreements, and commercial arrangements
  • Resolving Queries: Invoice and purchase order queries with suppliers and the Finance team
  • Supporting Development: The Senior Buyer in developing key suppliers and maintaining supplier KPIs
  • Collaborating with Stakeholders: Working closely with Engineering, Design, and other relevant stakeholders to support new projects, new concepts, and materials-estimating activities
  • Overseeing Returns: The return of rejected, surplus, or incorrect goods and monitoring the receipt of supplier credits
  • Communicating with Finance: Regarding costs, credits, and new or existing suppliers
  • Identifying Improvements: Opportunities to improve purchasing methods, increase efficiency, and reduce external expenditure
  • Maintaining Records: Accurate purchasing and supplier records within the company’s systems
  • Carrying Out Other Duties: Consistent with the responsibilities of the role

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

Skills and Qualifications

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job
  • Qualification: Minimum of CIPS Level 3, or an equivalent relevant qualification
  • Experience: Proven purchasing experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment
  • Skills:
    • Strong negotiation skills and a confident commercial approach
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
    • Competence in the use of Sage 200, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Word
    • Ability to interpret Bills of Materials and technical purchasing requirements
    • Ability to organise and prioritise competing workloads
    • Strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
    • Ability to solve problems, use initiative, and make appropriate decisions independently
    • Ability to build effective working relationships and work well as part of a team

Additional Information

SECURITY – All candidates must be in a position to obtain UK security clearance to SC level. Additional restrictions may apply on certain defence programmes.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Skills

Procurement
Supplier Management
Negotiation
Bill of Materials (BoM)
Sage 200
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
Cost Reduction
Supply Chain Management
Technical Purchasing
Supplier Evaluation
Commercial Terms
KPI Monitoring
Materials Estimating
Inventory Management

Location

Gosport, England, United Kingdom

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this