Luxfer MEL Technologies
Senior Buyer
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Job Title: Senior Buyer
Reports to: Head of Procurement
Department: Procurement
Location: Manchester
About Us
Luxfer MEL Technologies is a global leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of Magnesium and Zirconium-based products and services to technology industries worldwide.
We are looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Procurement team in Manchester, reporting to the Head of Procurement. This is a key role combining strategic category management with operational purchasing, supplier negotiation, and stakeholder engagement. You will be responsible for sourcing goods, materials, components, and services, managing strategic spend categories, delivering measurable cost savings, improving supplier performance, and supporting continuity of supply.
The successful candidate will have a minimum of five years’ purchasing or procurement experience, ideally within a manufacturing or industrial environment, with strong commercial, analytical, negotiation, and supplier management skills. CIPS qualification (or working towards CIPS), or a relevant business/commercial degree, is desirable, along with advanced Excel and Microsoft Office skills; SAP/ERP experience would be an advantage. The role offers an opportunity to make a real commercial impact within a fast-paced environment, supporting strategic procurement initiatives and senior-level decision-making.
Main Duties:
- Own and manage defined strategic spend categories, developing sourcing plans that support cost reduction, supply continuity, quality, and business growth.
- Engage with internal stakeholders to understand demand, specifications, risks, and priorities, ensuring procurement activity is aligned with operational and commercial needs.
- Lead supplier negotiations, tenders, and contract reviews to secure competitive pricing, improved terms, and measurable value for the business.
- Review category spend, supplier performance, and market conditions to identify opportunities for savings, risk reduction, second sourcing, and process improvement.
- Manage the supplier base for assigned categories, using SAP data and other performance information to support regular reviews and corrective action.
- Monitor market trends, supplier capability, competitor activity, and cost drivers, providing timely insight on risks and opportunities.
- Purchase goods, materials, components, and services in line with agreed cost, quality, and delivery targets, using SAP and agreed procurement processes.
- Act as the interface between suppliers and internal departments on purchasing activity, supply issues, new projects, and improvement initiatives.
- Prepare procurement reports, savings updates, and supplier performance information for management review and SLT support.
- Support the Head of Procurement with strategic projects, annual objectives, savings delivery, and supplier development initiatives.
- Contribute positively to the wider Procurement team, sharing workload where required, and supporting regulatory or business-critical requirements.
- Undertake any other duties within the scope and competence of the role as required.
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In order to be shortlisted, applicants must demonstrate on their CV that they meet all the essential criteria set out in the Qualifications/Education, Experience, and Skills & Knowledge sections below. Where there are a high number of applicants; the company reserves the right to shortlist using the desirable criteria.
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Essential
The candidate must have this:
Desirable
It would be beneficial for the candidate to have this (but not essential).
Qualifications/ Education
- CIPS qualified, working towards CIPS qualification, or holding a relevant business or commercial degree.
Experience
- Minimum five years’ purchasing or procurement experience, ideally within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Demonstrable experience managing suppliers, negotiating terms, and delivering measurable cost savings.
- Strong category management capability, including spend analysis, tendering, supplier review, and market insight.
- Experience working with global suppliers and complex supply chains.
- Experience in industrial raw materials, commodities, or market-index-linked purchasing.
Skills & Knowledge
- Strong commercial, analytical, and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret data and support decisions.
- Advanced Excel capability and confident use of Microsoft Office; experience of procurement reporting and performance analysis.
- Strong communication, negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to prioritize workload, manage deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP systems.
- Experience supporting senior-level procurement reporting or presentations.
Personal Attributes
- Professional, proactive, and resilient team player who demonstrates accountability, integrity, and commitment to continuous improvement.
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment.
Working Pattern
- 37 hours per week standard but will be required to be flexible with these hours in line with business need.
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