Manpower UK
Manufacturing Buyer

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Join a forward-thinking organisation based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire where procurement plays a critical role in delivering reliable products and services to customers. You'll be part of a team that values clear communication, continuous improvement, and practical problem-solving. This is a great opportunity for a Manufacturing Buyer who enjoys building strong supplier relationships, driving cost and quality outcomes, and contributing to long-term supply assurance.
Job Responsibilities
- Manage the end-to-end purchasing process for assigned commodities, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement.
- Develop and maintain supplier relationships to support service levels, quality requirements, and delivery performance.
- Source, evaluate, and onboard suppliers in line with business needs, including conducting supplier comparisons and negotiations.
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and commercial agreements to achieve agreed cost and value targets.
- Monitor supplier performance using agreed KPIs and take corrective action where required.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., engineering, operations, quality, finance) to understand requirements and resolve supply issues.
- Support risk management activities, including identifying supply risks and proposing mitigation plans.
- Maintain accurate procurement records, purchase documentation, and reporting to support audit readiness.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within procurement, including process and spend optimisation.
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.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour 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 breakdownIt 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.
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.
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.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Proven experience in purchasing or procurement, ideally with commodity ownership responsibilities.
- Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Commercial awareness and a solid understanding of total cost of ownership (TCO) and value-based purchasing.
- Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to manage conversations at both operational and strategic levels.
- Analytical capability to review supplier data, identify trends, and support decision-making.
- Working knowledge of procurement processes, including RFQs, supplier evaluation, and contract/commercial management.
- Competent in using procurement and ERP systems, with the ability to manage purchase documentation accurately.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritise workload in a fast-moving environment.
- Relevant procurement qualification such as CIPS (or working towards) is desirable.
- Experience with supplier performance management and corrective action processes.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Competitive salary + Bonus, 25 days holiday, Private Healthcare
If you're a motivated Buyer looking to make a tangible impact on cost, quality, and supply assurance, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now to join a team that values ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
If you receive suspicious outreach claiming to be from us, please contact us via the ManpowerGroup website.
“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
Skills