Procurement Specialist – Pharmaceuticals
Location: Maidstone, 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.
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