Senior Buyer

📍 High Wycombe, UK, hybrid 

Join Oxford Instruments – The Business of Science®

At Oxford Instruments, our purpose is to accelerate breakthroughs that create a brighter future. Our cutting-edge technologies enable scientists and engineers to deliver world-changing innovations across industries and research.

We’re looking for a Senior Buyer to join our Materials Analysis business unit – a global leader in advanced microscopy and scientific instrumentation. If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoy building strong supplier partnerships, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.

About the Role

As a Senior Buyer, you will take ownership of procurement activities for a defined category of products and services. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring availability, quality, and cost-effectiveness of materials, while driving continuous improvement across the supply chain.

This role blends hands-on operational purchasing with strategic supplier management, giving you the opportunity to influence performance, reduce costs, and shape sourcing strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Purchasing

• Raise and manage purchase orders in line with MRP requirements
• Monitor supplier delivery performance, lead times, and inventory levels
• Expedite orders and resolve supply chain bottlenecks
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Engineering, Planning, and Finance
• Support new product introductions through sourcing and prototype ordering
• Proactively identify risks to supply and implement mitigation plans

Supplier Management

• Source, evaluate, and onboard suppliers based on quality, cost, and service
• Lead sourcing projects and present business cases to senior stakeholders
• Build strong supplier relationships and drive performance improvements
• Conduct supplier reviews and site visits
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts
• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business goals

Cost & Performance Optimisation

• Identify and deliver cost reduction opportunities
• Analyse data to improve procurement and inventory performance
• Support inventory strategies such as VMI or consignment stock

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure procurement activities meet internal controls and quality standards
• Resolve supplier quality issues and manage returns
• Support sustainability and ethical sourcing initiatives

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Proven experience in procurement or supply chain
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to prioritise in a fast-paced, complex environment

Desirable

• Experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment
• CIPS qualification (or working towards)
• Degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field
• Knowledge of inventory management approaches (e.g. Kanban, VMI)

Working at Oxford Instruments Materials Analysis - What’s in it for you?

Wellbeing –

• Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays and the option to purchase up to 12 weeks more

• Employee Assistance Programme; including 24/7 telephone support, access to counselling, financial and debt management and access to trained legal advisors
• Private health insurance, dental insurance and life assurance

Money & lifestyle –

• MyDiscounts; save money with a number of leading retailers

• Car salary exchange scheme: sacrifice part of your salary in exchange for a fully serviced, comprehensive insured electric or hybrid vehicle
• TechScheme and CycleScheme: Purchase a bike and/or Tech or home goods from Currys/IKEA and spread the cost over 12 months.
• Pension; all employees are eligible to join the Group Pension Plan administered by AVIVA.
• Share incentive plan: Invest in your future and share in the success of the company by joining the share incentive plan.

Development –

• Encouragement and support to achieve professional and or academic qualifications to support your development and growth
• Defined career paths and regular reviews