Buyer - Pharmaceuticals

Buyer – Pharmaceuticals (Part-Time)

Location: Aylesford, Kent (Hybrid)

Salary: £22,800 – £28,800 (21 hours per week)

Full-Time Equivalent: £38,000 – £48,000

Hours: 21 hours per week

Working Pattern

• Preferred: 3 full days per week (8am–4pm or 9am–5pm)

• Flexible working arrangements considered

• One working day must be Monday

• Up to 1 day per week working from home

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Buyer to join a growing pharmaceutical manufacturing business in Kent.

This role combines procurement, supplier management and supplier quality activities within a regulated GMP environment. Working closely with Manufacturing, Quality and Operations teams, you will play a key role in ensuring materials, services and equipment are sourced effectively whilst maintaining supplier performance, quality standards and regulatory compliance.

This position would suit an experienced procurement professional seeking a flexible part-time opportunity within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing and planning activities through the ERP system.

• Source and procure raw materials, consumables, services and equipment.

• Negotiate pricing, contracts and supplier agreements.

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.

• Support supplier onboarding, qualification and performance management activities.

• Conduct supplier reviews and assist with supplier audits where required.

• Investigate supplier quality issues and support corrective actions.

• Maintain accurate procurement and quality documentation.

• Support GMP, customer and regulatory audits.

• Assist with CAPAs, deviations, change controls and other quality management activities.

• Monitor supplier performance and identify potential supply chain risks.

• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies where required.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and supply chain operations.

• Support KPI reporting, supplier performance analysis and business improvement projects.

About You

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience within Procurement, Purchasing, Buying or Supply Chain.

• Experience working within a manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of supplier management and procurement processes.

• Experience using ERP systems.

• Good Microsoft Excel skills.

• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively across departments.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience within a regulated manufacturing environment such as Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Life Sciences or Chemicals.

• GMP knowledge and understanding.

• Experience supporting supplier quality activities.

• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS).

• Experience participating in supplier audits.

• Understanding of risk management methodologies such as FMEA.

• CIPS qualification or studying towards CIPS.

What's On Offer?

• Flexible part-time working arrangement.

• Hybrid working available.

• Opportunity to work within a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

• Broad role covering procurement, supplier quality and continuous improvement.

• Supportive and collaborative team culture.

• Opportunity to make a visible impact within a growing organisation.