Technical Buyer

Purpose of the role:

The Technical Buyer is responsible for sourcing goods and services required to support FANUC UK's project and operational activities. Working closely with Sales, Proposals, Engineering, Project Management and Finance, the role ensures supplier costs, lead times, technical capability and commercial risks are understood before purchasing commitments are made. The Technical Buyer supports profitable project delivery through effective supplier selection, negotiation and cost management while ensuring purchasing activities are carried out professionally and in line with Company requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Procurement & Supplier Management

• Source and qualify suppliers capable of supporting FANUC UK's project and operational requirements.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships that deliver quality, reliability, competitive pricing and dependable service.
• Lead supplier selection, evaluation and approval activities.
• Obtain, evaluate and compare supplier quotations.
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms and supply agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance and conduct regular supplier reviews.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve supplier performance and minimise supply chain risk.
• Monitor agreed supplier KPIs and take appropriate action where improvements are required.
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with Company policies and purchasing procedures.

Technical Purchasing & Project Support

• Work with Sales, Proposals, Engineering and Project Management during the early stages of opportunities and projects to support purchasing decisions.
• Attend quotation, design review and project meetings where supplier input, cost information or purchasing advice is required.
• Act as the lead buyer for automation projects, robotic systems, Robomachine solutions and major equipment purchases.
• Assess supplier capability, manufacturing capacity, lead times and commercial risks when developing project solutions.
• Challenge costs, sourcing decisions and supplier proposals to ensure value for money while maintaining technical and customer requirements.
• Identify opportunities to standardise products, use existing supplier agreements and reduce overall project costs.
• Recommend alternative suppliers, products or sourcing approaches where beneficial.
• Support project teams throughout delivery by managing supplier-related commercial issues and purchasing requirements.

   3. Commercial Support & Supplier Risk Management

• Support commercial reviews before significant supplier commitments are made.
• Provide supplier cost analysis, commercial input and purchasing recommendations during quotation and project approval activities.
• Assess supplier risks including financial stability, delivery capability, quality performance and capacity constraints.
• Support supplier contract reviews and commercial negotiations.
• Work with the Head of Finance & Administration on significant supplier agreements and higher-risk purchasing decisions.
• Ensure supplier contracts, agreements and purchasing documentation are maintained and up to date.
• Support good commercial discipline by ensuring purchasing decisions are based on quality, cost, risk and delivery considerations.

4. Procurement Performance & Improvement

• Monitor procurement KPIs and contribute to business performance objectives.
• Analyse supplier spend, supplier performance and market conditions to identify improvement opportunities.
• Produce procurement reports and supplier performance information to support business decisions.
• Identify practical improvements to purchasing processes, supplier management and project cost control.
• Support effective use of SAP and other purchasing systems.
• Look for opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen supplier relationships and increase project profitability.

5. Team Support & Cross Functional Working

• Coach and support the Procurement Assistant.
• Build effective working relationships across Sales, Proposals, Engineering, Project Management, Finance and Operations.
• Encourage early involvement of Procurement in purchasing decisions, supplier selection and project costing activities.
• Act as the Company's technical purchasing specialist.
• Share purchasing knowledge and supplier market insight with colleagues.
• Contribute to a culture of teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement.

KPIs & Success Measures

• Procurement savings delivered against agreed targets.
• Supplier delivery, quality and service performance.
• Supplier risk identified and managed effectively.
• Procurement involvement before quotation approval and major purchasing decisions.
• Improved project profitability through supplier cost management and negotiation.
• On-time supplier support to projects and operational requirements.
• Accuracy and quality of procurement reporting.
• Effective supplier performance management.
• Compliance with purchasing procedures and approval processes

The candidate should ideally be located within a 45 minute commute of the FANUC UK office in Coventry and must have the legal right to work in the UK.