Product Development Buyer

<h1>Ocado is no longer just an award-winning online retailer - we are also revolutionising when it comes to engineering, technology and automated logistics solutions that benefit not only our own business, but also that of our multiple retail partners across the globe.</h1> <p>Our Product Development department is at the forefront of our innovative automated solutions - it designs, tests, manufactures and rolls out products needed for our Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs) of the future. With the business growing rapidly both in the UK and internationally and multiple new CFCs in the works, it couldn’t be a better time to join us and be part of the Ocado journey.</p> <p>We’re now looking for a <strong>Product Development Buyer, </strong>to sit within our Procurement team in Product Development. This person will be responsible for providing cost-saving initiatives, quality improvement and lead time reductions, and will also be responsible for supporting the procurement of prototype parts and assemblies for the development team.</p> <p><strong>Key accountabilities:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Source 'best in class' products for competitive prices from reliable vendors</li> <li>Build and maintain relationships with internal and external customers</li> <li>Work with various development teams to support procurement and implement new product development projects</li> <li>Support PD Procurement Lead with increasing supplier quality</li> <li>Review approved prototype/development supplier list and identify risks/requirements</li> <li>Support PD Procurement Lead with legal contracts and negotiation of commercial terms</li> <li>Determine material and part requirements and shortages</li> <li>Track and maintain proper levels of stocked inventory for live projects</li> <li>Cross reference invoice and purchase order validity</li> <li>Produce regular reports on saving and delivery performance</li> <li>Initiate and implement process improvement initiatives</li> <li>Support PD Procurement Lead with transition of products from prototype to production</li> <li>Supplier relationship management (including organising supplier visits)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum experience required:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience in procurement, buying, inventory mangement and/or logistics</li> <li>Experience working with large data sets and ability to analyse data</li> <li>Advanced in Microsoft Excel (Proficient in other MS applications)</li> <li>Experience in negotiation tactics and tactical buying</li> <li>Commercial awareness</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred (in addition to minimum):</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience of manufacturing processes</li> <li>Engineering experience</li> <li>Experience in managing a complex bill of materials</li> <li>CIPS (or working towards)</li> </ul> <p><strong><em>DISCLAIMER:</em></strong><em> This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.</em></p> <p><em>This role may require travel to other sites.</em></p> <p><strong>What we can offer you:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Pension</li> <li>Life Assurance</li> <li>Private Medical Insurance</li> <li>23 days holiday, increasing to 25 with 3 years’ service</li> <li>Employee Assistance Program</li> <li>Free Shares</li> <li>Opportunity to participate in Sharesave and Buy as You Earn schemes</li> <li>Discounted shopping on Ocado.com, Smart Pass and destination site</li> </ul> <p><strong>Equal Opportunity Employer</strong></p> <p>Ocado is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employers are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, disability or union membership status.</p> <p><em>Please note that due to the high volume of applications we will be in contact with shortlisted candidates only. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.</em></p> <p><em>Due to the fast-paced nature of Ocado's business our vacancy close dates may be subject to change.</em></p>