Job description
  • Southend on Sea, Essex, England
  • Permanent,
  • undefined,
  • Buyer_SS2
  • 16/09/2026
Job description

Are you a commercially driven Buyer with strong negotiation skills and a talent for building supplier relationships?

Role: Buyer 

Location: Southend-on-sea

Pay: Up-to £40,000 per annum, depending on experience

Job: Full time, permanent

Hours: 39 Hours, Mon - Thur 08.00-17.00 Fri 08.00-13.00

 

Key Duties:
• Manage Purchase Orders and SAP records in line with agreed targets.
• Review current supplier agreements to ensure good value for money.
• Monitor orders and ensure deliveries are made on time.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance and deal with issues when required.
• Identify sourcing opportunities within the existing supplier network.
• Request and review supplier quotations and pricing.
• Analyse costs to ensure pricing is competitive and reasonable.
• Negotiate prices, terms and conditions with suppliers.
• Track and report on supplier performance.
• Identify potential risks and put actions in place to reduce them.
• Look for ways to reduce costs and support savings proposals with business cases.
• Monitor spending to ensure it remains within the approved budget.
• Support continuous improvement projects and help implement process changes.
• Work in accordance with all company policies, procedures and requirements.
• Follow all Health & Safety policies and help maintain a safe working environment.
• Complete any other reasonable and relevant duties as required.
• Duties may vary and are not limited to those listed above.

Essential Skills & Experience
• GCSE English and Maths, or equivalent, at Grade C/4 or above.
• Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain or a similar commercial environment.
• Good understanding of supplier management and commercial processes.
• Experience of assessing supplier performance and making appropriate decisions.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of supplier terms and obligations.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and general IT systems.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a team.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise work, manage deadlines and perform effectively under pressure.

Personal Attributes:
• Positive, practical and willing-to-help approach.
• Strong team-working attitude.
• Confident and professional when dealing with people at all levels.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to providing a high standard of service.
• Well organised with good time management skills.
• Proactive approach to planning and problem solving.
• Strong focus on productivity, accuracy and quality.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing business requirements.
• Takes responsibility and ownership for work and decisions.
• Committed to learning, developing and finding ways to improve.

 

The Company offers competitive benefits, including:

  • Health Care Cash Plan*
  • Employee Assistance Programme*
  • Contributory Pension Scheme for eligible employees (6% increasing to 7%)
  • Enhanced holiday (24 days holiday in addition to UK bank and public holidays)
  • Life Assurance
  • Company Sick Pay Scheme*
  • Flexitime
  • Early finish on Friday’s
  • Sports and Social Club
  • Free car parking
  • Free access to a local gym
  • Onsite café

(*Available after 1 year of service)

Click Apply Now and upload your up-to-date CV. Short-listed candidates will be contacted to discuss the role further and may be invited to attend a face-to-face interview.

For more information, call us on 01702 987900 or email southend@gap-personnel.com

 

 

 

 

If this role is permanent, gap personnel is operating as the employment agency. If this job is a temporary role, gap personnel is operating as the employment business.gap personnel is committed to the selection, recruitment and development of the best people, basing judgements solely on suitability for the job

Whilst we endeavor to respond to all applications individually, due to high volumes, this is not always possible. Thank you for your interest in this role and we look forward to working with you in the future

By applying for the above position and providing your personal data to us you understand that your data will be processed in line with our Privacy Policy