Senior Buyer - Direct Spend

About the role

Tekever, a European leader in unmanned technology covering digital, defence, security and space, is hiring a Senior Buyer for its Swindon site. You will lead source-to-contract activity for direct spend, take ownership of commercially viable strategies and build lasting supplier partnerships. The role sits in a hybrid setup, typically three days a week at the core UK site.

Key responsibilities

• Challenge, clarify and improve internal specifications and requirements to enable efficient sourcing.
• Lead commercial negotiations with existing and prospective suppliers, balancing commercial value with quality or long-term strategic benefit.
• Draft, negotiate and finalise supplier contracts, framework agreements and SLAs.
• Develop and run sourcing strategies for direct spend categories, optimising total cost of ownership while safeguarding service, quality, continuity and compliance.
• Manage and coach procurement team members, and own supplier relationships, monitoring performance and resolving supply or delivery issues.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders across engineering, operations, manufacturing, planning, quality and finance.
• Champion continuous improvement across the function.

Required profile

• Experience in direct procurement categories such as raw materials, components, engineered parts, capital equipment or subcontract services.
• Experience developing category or sourcing strategies and running competitive tenders.
• Experience leading commercial negotiations and agreeing contracts for complex or high-value projects.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience managing and developing procurement team members.
• Background in engineering, manufacturing, energy, utilities, industrial or technical services is advantageous but not required.

Required skills

• Experience using ERP/MRP systems.
• Understanding of supplier and supply chain risk, including continuity of supply, financial stability, quality and contractual considerations.

What we offer

• Competitive salary with a discretionary annual bonus and a pension contribution match of up to 10%.
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, private medical insurance, private dental care and an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Career development opportunities and a flexible hybrid working model.
• A rewards platform with high street discounts and salary sacrifice schemes, including electric car and cycle-to-work options.