Buyer

Buyer

Full-Time | Permanent

Our client is seeking an experienced Buyer to play a key role in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of raw materials and components required to support manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing and procurement activities across assigned categories, ensuring continuity of supply, regulatory compliance, cost competitiveness, and supplier performance within a highly regulated environment.

This position is ideally suited to a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing setting and enjoys driving continuous improvement while supporting operational excellence. The role involves close collaboration with Operations, Quality, Technical, Regulatory, and Project teams to support production requirements, new product introductions, and supply chain resilience.

Location: Galway (Hybrid working available following successful completion of probation period).

Key Responsibilities

• Source and procure raw materials and components from approved global suppliers in accordance with purchasing policies and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure continuity of supply through effective planning, supplier management, and proactive risk mitigation strategies.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships focused on quality, service, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, and delivery schedules to achieve best value while safeguarding supply.
• Identify and develop alternative and secondary sourcing options to reduce supply chain risk.
• Manage inventory levels to support production requirements while balancing working capital objectives.
• Review MRP and forecasting data, taking appropriate action to prevent stock shortages and excess inventory.
• Maintain accurate supplier and material master data to ensure planning effectiveness and system integrity.
• Coordinate inbound logistics activities with freight partners and proactively manage supply risks.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by ensuring materials are sourced and available to meet project timelines.
• Collaborate with Project Management, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Technical, and Operations teams to achieve project milestones.
• Monitor supplier performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Drive supplier development initiatives and identify opportunities to improve quality, service, lead times, and cost efficiency.
• Manage purchasing-related deviations, change controls, investigations, and CAPAs in accordance with quality management system requirements.
• Identify and implement cost reduction, standardisation, and process improvement opportunities across assigned categories.
• Monitor market conditions, commodity trends, supplier capacity constraints, and emerging supply risks, providing timely updates to stakeholders.
• Support sustainability initiatives through responsible sourcing, material optimisation, and waste reduction.
• Contribute positively to business transformation initiatives, supporting the implementation of new systems, processes, and ways of working.

Key Competencies

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and suppliers.
• Strong negotiation skills with a commercially focused approach.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail, particularly regarding planning data, supplier information, and documentation.
• Strong understanding of supply chain management principles, including MRP, inventory management, and production planning.
• Commercially aware with a focus on cost optimisation, supply risk management, and service delivery.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to support and embrace change within a transforming organisation.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline (Level 8 qualification or equivalent).
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in raw material purchasing within the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, or similarly regulated manufacturing sector.
• Experience working within a regulated environment operating under a Quality Management System (QMS).
• Proven experience in supplier relationship management and vendor performance management.
• Experience working with SAP or equivalent ERP systems.

Desirable

• APICS/CPIM certification or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience supporting organisational change initiatives, particularly within supply chain or procurement transformation programmes.
• Experience in inventory optimisation, strategic sourcing, and supplier development projects.