Project Buyer

About the Role:
We are looking for an NPI Buyer to join a rapidly growing manufacturing business in Wolverhampton. This role plays a key part in supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) projects within a technical environment, helping to bring complex electro-mechanical products from design through to production.
You'll work closely with Engineering, Production, and Project teams, ensuring materials and components are sourced effectively, suppliers are aligned with project requirements, and procurement activity supports successful and on-time product launches.
This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive buyer looking to develop their career in a technical, hands-on manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:
- Support new product introduction projects by sourcing and procuring materials, components, and subassemblies to meet project and production timelines.
- Work closely with engineering teams to identify suitable suppliers for new or modified components.
- Assist in the review of bills of materials (BOMs), ensuring accuracy, cost control, and material availability for prototype and pre-production builds.
- Coordinate supplier quotations, evaluate pricing, and ensure compliance with technical and quality requirements.
- Expedite deliveries and manage purchase orders to ensure on-time availability of materials.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, supporting them through the NPI process.
- Monitor supplier performance and escalate delivery or quality issues where necessary.
- Assist in qualifying new suppliers and gathering documentation in line with company processes.
- Support cost analysis and benchmarking for key components and materials.
- Track purchase price variance (PPV) and provide input to cost reporting and project budgets.
- Contribute to cost reduction and lead time improvement initiatives within the supply chain.
- Maintain accurate data in the ERP system and ensure purchase order integrity.
- Work alongside Engineering, Production, and Quality teams to align procurement activities with design and manufacturing goals.
- Participate in design for manufacturability (DFM) discussions with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Support the wider Supply Chain team on ad-hoc purchasing and process improvement projects.

Skills and Experience Required:
- Previous experience in a procurement or buying role, ideally within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Exposure to NPI or project-based purchasing activities.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail when managing complex or multi-level BOMs.
- Confident communication and negotiation skills when dealing with suppliers.
- Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- An understanding of technical drawings, specifications, and engineering terminology.