Senior Technical Buyer
Job Title: Senior Technical Buyer
Work Location: ePropelled | Coventry, UK
Job description
Full-time | On-site with hybrid flexibility (4 days office,
1 day home)
About ePropelled
ePropelled designs and manufactures electric propulsion
systems for UAVs and other next-generation platforms, with teams in the UK, US
and India. Driven by growing demand and supported by funding initiatives
including $60 million from the US government, we are expanding our supply chain
team to support our motor and electronic controller programmes.
About the Role
You will be the main procurement contact for UK new product
introduction (NPI), from prototype sourcing through to readiness for volume
production, while supporting day-to-day production purchasing. Working with
Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Programme teams, you will develop and
execute supply solutions that meet cost, delivery and quality requirements.
This is a hands-on role with significant ownership, suited
to someone who can work independently, resolve problems and bring structure to
a rapidly growing business.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead
procurement for new motor and controller projects, coordinating sourcing
plans, prototype requirements and supplier readiness for transfer into
volume production.
- Select
suppliers from the approved supply base, identify capability or capacity
gaps, and work with Engineering, Quality and the wider procurement team to
assess new sources where needed.
- Manage
RFQs, compare quotations and negotiate pricing, lead times and commercial
terms to achieve value and continuity of supply.
- Raise
and manage purchase orders, secure delivery commitments and expedite
materials against development and production schedules.
- Identify
supply risks early, develop recovery options and communicate actions and
decisions needed to the Programme team and relevant stakeholders.
- Ensure
purchase requirements reflect the correct drawings, bills of materials and
specifications, coordinate engineering changes, deviations and supplier
issues with Engineering and Quality.
- Build
supplier relationships, monitor delivery performance and drive improvement
and cost-reduction activities.
- Maintain
accurate ERP purchasing data and improve procurement workflows, support
goods receipt, shipments and wider supply chain activities when required.
Requirements
Skills & Experience
- Looking for 5+ years experience as Technical Buyer
- Proven
technical purchasing experience in engineering or manufacturing, including
responsibility for NPI or new product development procurement.
- Knowledge
of mechanical commodities such as machined parts, fabrication and raw
materials. Experience sourcing PCBAs, PCBs and electronic components is
strongly preferred.
- Ability
to interpret technical drawings, bills of materials and specifications,
and work with engineers and suppliers to resolve technical queries.
- Strong
negotiation and supplier management skills, with sound commercial
judgement on cost, lead time and longer-term supply risk.
- Ability
to manage competing project deadlines independently, follow actions
through to completion and escalate issues with clear recommendations.
- Confident
communication and influencing skills across suppliers and internal teams,
including the ability to challenge assumptions constructively.
- Practical
ERP/MRP experience and a disciplined approach to purchasing records, data
accuracy and process improvement.
- Understanding
of manufacturing quality systems and supplier quality processes, such as
first article inspection, non-conformance management and deviations.
- Experience
in a startup or growing SME, aerospace/UAVs or complex electromechanical
products, together with basic shipping and logistics knowledge, would be
advantageous.
Benefits
What We Offer
- An
opportunity to help shape procurement in a growing electric propulsion
business.
- A
generous company share scheme.
- Significant
responsibility and autonomy, working closely with engineering and
manufacturing teams.
- A
global outlook, working with colleagues across the UK, US and India.
Pay: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
- Company
pension
- Employee
stock purchase plan
- Free
parking
- On-site
parking