Buyer (Fixed-Term Contract)

Job Title: Buyer- 12-month Fixed Term Contract

Department: Supply Chain

Location: Southampton – 5 days per week office-based

Working Hours: 37.5 weekly

A brighter future awaits you

CooperVision is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses with a presence in over 100 countries. Being part of CooperVision means helping improve the way people see each day. It’s more than making contact lenses, it’s about giving lens wearers freedom and confidence to move about their daily lives. We’re all about bright futures – for our people and those who wear our contact lenses.

Job summary

The buyer will be responsible for the purchasing of products and services in support of business operations obtaining quotes from vendors, negotiating prices terms and lead time, creating purchase orders, tracking orders to ensure on time delivery to meet requirements through development of business relationships and strategic partners. Partner with finance and stakeholders to ensure sourcing decisions are in the best interests of the company. Responsibilities include:

• Plan purchases against business requirements and establish appropriate inventory levels/services to ensure continuity of supply.
• Establish, develop and maintain effective supplier relationships and hold regular review meetings with suppliers covering performance (delivery, quality) and opportunities for savings and innovation.
• Develop, introduce, and apply strategies to minimize business risk within the purchasing process, including where appropriate the use of supplier agreements and disaster recovery planning for key materials and services.
• Participate in Tender processes/RFPs as required.
• Undertake routine purchase order administration (order placement, receipt, invoice approval), investigate and resolve discrepancies. 
• Vendor selection, development, and management, negotiating with the vendor.
• Identify cost saving opportunities and lead projects to realize these.
• Accountable for category savings targets and performance measures. Reviews specifications and Statements of Work (SOWs) to ensure materials, goods and services ordered meet proper quality standards.
• Participate in cross functional project team activities to ensure that high value/long-term purchasing agreements are commercially sound and providing best value/lowest risk for CooperVision.
• Work together with the Product Change, Regulatory, and Quality teams as appropriate to ensure that new materials and changes are introduced via the correct change processes, including regulatory, validation, discontinuations, and product launches.
• Participation in company audits both internal and external as required.
• Provide a range of data and reports on purchasing and inventory activity to allow management, budgetary and expense reviews to be carried out.
• Actively participate in continuous improvement opportunities.
• Any other purchasing related duties in connection with the Company’s business as may be required.

About you

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Problem Solving and planning and organizing skills

• Knowledgeable of good purchasing / supply chain practices, and basic accounting knowledge.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Fluency in English both written and verbal required. Any other language would be an advantage.

• Experience using an MRP system preferred, previous experience in Oracle, BAAN and Agile would be an advantage.

• Intermediate level in the use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

• Ability to read and understand technical material, such as engineering specifications or Statement of Works (SOWs).

• Commercially aware with the ability to communicate at a professional level both internally and externally.

• Able to drive and develop supplier performance to achieve best value and service for CooperVision.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Purchasing, Business or equivalent required; or 2 years or more in a Purchasing role.

• Professional qualification/certification preferred

What we offer

You’ll receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including: bonus, 25 days holiday, pension scheme, healthcare cover, life assurance, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more!

We are committed to our employees’ personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual to reach their full potential. To help us achieve our goals, we’ll give you everything you need to help you achieve yours.

We also provide access to LinkedIn Learning to help you develop in your career and grow with CooperVision.

What you can expect

As a CooperVision employee, you’ll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering an inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success.

If you like what you see, take the first step towards your Brighter Future and apply today! All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision.

Please view our careers page at  to view all other opportunities.