MTC - Manufacturing Technology Centre
Senior Buyer - Civilian
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The Vacancy
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager, you'll lead and manage procurement activities that support innovative programmes across Future Mobility, Industrial Growth, Power & Energy, and Construction. You'll work closely with Programme Managers, Technical Leads, and Project Managers to ensure procurement strategies align with project objectives, budgets, and delivery timelines.
This is a highly visible role where you'll influence sourcing decisions, negotiate commercial agreements, manage supplier relationships, and help deliver value, quality, and compliance across complex projects.
What You'll Be Doing
- Managing end-to-end sourcing and procurement activities from requirement definition through to contract award.
- Leading tendering and quotation processes in line with procurement governance and regulatory requirements.
- Negotiating commercial agreements to achieve the best outcomes on cost, quality, delivery, and risk.
- Supporting procurement planning, supplier selection, and contract management activities.
- Building strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers to drive successful project delivery.
- Monitoring supplier performance and resolving issues to minimize risk and maximize value.
- Contributing to category strategies, market analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
What We're Looking For
You'll be an experienced procurement professional with a strong commercial mindset and a proven ability to manage complex sourcing activity in a structured environment.
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Essential
- Experience in procurement, strategic buying, sourcing, or commercial support within a medium or large organization.
- Strong knowledge of sourcing, tendering, and supplier management processes.
- Proven negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to identify and manage commercial, contractual, and supplier risks.
- Experience working across multiple projects and competing priorities.
- Confidence using procurement, ERP, or contract management systems.
- Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance.
Desirable
- CIPS qualification or working towards one.
- Experience within manufacturing, engineering, automotive, research, or regulated environments.
- Knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023.
- Experience with contract lifecycle management, category management, or supplier performance management.
About The MTC
The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is an internationally renowned and respected research and development organization, bridging the gap between academia and manufacturing, and is home to some of the brightest minds in engineering from around the globe.
The MTC's engineers, scientists, and technicians work with some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world in a supportive and collegiate environment for the development and demonstration of new technologies on an industrial scale, helping manufacturers of all sizes develop new and innovative processes and technologies.
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Established to prove cutting edge manufacturing advances in an agile environment in partnership with industry, academia, and other institutions, the MTC works with hundreds of industrial clients across a range of sectors including automotive, aerospace, rail, informatics, food and drink, infrastructure, construction and civil engineering, electronics, oil and gas, and defence. The MTC helps businesses thrive by advancing their technological and engineering capabilities to improve their business efficiency, capability, and competitiveness.
Supported by one of the largest public sector investments in UK Manufacturing, the MTC's engineering capabilities cover research and development, advanced manufacturing management, factory design, and training for the skills of the future.
The MTC has world-class facilities in Coventry, Liverpool, and Oxford, and is part of the UK's High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.
Reference Checks and Security Checks (where applicable)
Due to the nature of our business, all employment is subject to satisfactory references being obtained alongside a level of security clearance checks.
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