Senior Buyer
Job Description
Buyer
Purchasing Department
The Business
The business was founded in 2015 as a spin-out from The University of Oxford and designs and manufactures revolutionary flow control valves. This disruptive technology is currently deployed globally in water & gas distribution networks, oil & gas processes, and other industrial applications. Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) represent a £5bn sector of the global £70bn valve and actuator market.
The Role
The Buyer will support the delivery of an efficient and commercially focused procurement function, ensuring the timely and cost-effective supply of materials and services. Working closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, the role will contribute to supplier performance management, operational continuity, and ongoing process improvement within the purchasing function.
Key Responsibilities
Support procurement activities to ensure continuity of supply and alignment with production requirements
Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships, ensuring strong communication and performance management
Ensure purchasing activities comply with internal policies, procedures, and quality standards
Monitor supplier performance, including delivery schedules, quality, and cost, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
Manage purchase orders and ensure accurate and timely processing through the MRP system
Track and expedite orders to ensure materials are delivered in line with production schedules
Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks, communicating any potential disruptions to relevant stakeholders
Maintain accurate records of delivery schedules, stock levels, and procurement data
Collaborate the Logistics, production and stock control teams to ensure efficient stock control and material flow
Support the resolution of supplier-related issues including pricing, quality, and delivery discrepancies
Contribute to the monitoring and reporting of purchasing KPIs
Skills & Experience
Previous experience in a purchasing or procurement role within a manufacturing or production environment
Working knowledge of MRP systems and stock control processes
Strong commercial awareness with the ability to support negotiation and supplier management activities
Excellent organisational and time management skills, with strong attention to detail
Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships internally and externally
Proactive and solutions-focused approach to problem solving
Good level of numeracy and IT literacy, including MS Office
Qualifications
CIPS qualification (Level 3 or above) or actively working towards CIPS certification is strongly preferred
Other Information
• Based at our Tungsten park site, Witney.
• Permanent, full-time role. Mon – Fri. 37.5 hours per week.
• 25 days’ holiday per year plus all statutory holidays (in England)
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- Department
- Supply Chain
- Locations
- Witney (Head Office)
About Oxford Flow
Originally founded by Professor Thomas Povey in 2015, Oxford Flow is a spin-out of the Oxford Thermofluids Institute at the University of Oxford that is primed for rapid growth. Oxford Flow is an engineering-led, technology company which has revolutionized valve design with a range of unique products. The company’s technology helps address some of the challenges faced by the energy sector including improving valve reliability, reducing maintenance costs, and minimizing fugitive emissions, a core challenge facing major players across the oil & gas industry. Oxford Flow recently closed a $25 million, Series C funding round that was co-led by bp Ventures and Energy Impact Partners (EIP), both of which have placed high priority on reducing fugitive emissions as they seek to accelerate the world’s energy transition.