Operational Buyer

Operational Buyer

Cockermouth

About us
A dynamic global manufacturing organisation supplying a vast range of high performance fluid sealing products and associated knowledge-based services to virtually every industry sector. With state-of-the-art skills in materials technology, particularly relating to elastomers, polymers, composites and engineering plastics plus extensive expertise in precision machining of exotic alloys for metallic seals, and tension control fasteners for bolted joints. Our worldwide group of companies has 11 operations and a further 40 spread across Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, South Africa and the USA.

The Positions

James Walker & Co Ltd is looking to recruit an Operational Buyer to work as part of the Purchasing Team reporting directly to the Purchasing Team Leader.

The purpose of the role is to purchase quality products and materials, in doing so you will build relationships with suppliers through negotiating with them for the best pricing. Other areas of the role involve processing requisitions, updating management on the status of orders, updating inventory and ensuring that stock is kept at appropriate levels. The successful candidate will be required to provide a high level of service to all James Walker customers.

In this role you will work 35 hours per week on day shift (Monday to Thursday 08.45 am – 5.00 pm and Fridays 08.45 am – 12.45 pm/3.30 pm worked alternate weeks). The salary is dependent on skills and experience, please detail your salary expectations on your application.

Key responsibilities

• Co-ordinating the expediting activity to ensure a minimum on time delivery target of 98% from the supplier.
• Liaising on a daily basis with relevant site location/production with any discrepancies on delivery dates between Purchase Order and the Customer Order/Manufacturing date.
• Ensuring Sales and Production Objectives are met i.e. volume, delivery and quality.
• The cost effective procurement of Goods, Raw Materials, Consumables, Services and Capital Expense Items.
• Achieving best price and delivery without compromising quality.
• Managing supplier schedules and expediting.
• Resolving administration problems related to procurement.
• Monthly review of supplier performance to drive suppliers to an A status 90%+

Experience/Qualifications:

The successful candidate must have:

• Experience of working in a Buyer/Purchasing role within a busy office environment.
• Grade A – C/minimum of level 4 in English and Maths GCSE or equivalent.
• CIPS level Three/APICS or equivalent qualification would be of an advantage for this role.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• The ability to pay particular attention to detail with a conscientious approach to work and a right first time attitude
• The ability to build great relationships with both colleagues and customers, enabling you to deliver an excellent service provision
• Sound IT skills with experience of using Microsoft Office and Outlook.
  
  
  Click Here To Apply

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 15^th July 2026