Strategic Sourcing Buyer
Functional area: Supply Chain/Logistics
Location: UK – United Kingdom
City: Bristol
Company name: Edwards Ltd
Date of posting: Jun 27, 2026
Your future job

Your role
As a Strategic Sourcing Buyer, reporting to the Procurement Manager. This role is a commercially driven Category Manager within Manufacturing, responsible for owning and evolving sourcing strategy across a complex, engineered supply base through end‑to‑end strategic sourcing. It delivers long-term value by shaping the supplier landscape, leveraging technical and market insight, and executing multi-year category strategies that optimise cost, capability, innovation, and resilience.

You will take full ownership of a manufacturing category, leading strategic sourcing activity from opportunity identification through to supplier selection, negotiation, and long-term supplier development. Working at the intersection of procurement, engineering, and operations.

You will –

Own and evolve end-to-end category strategies aligned to business and manufacturing objectives
Define and deliver multi-year sourcing strategies based on demand, technology, and market dynamics
Lead strategic sourcing activity end-to-end, including market analysis, supplier identification, RFx processes, and negotiations
Apply structured methodologies (e.g. should-cost modelling, total cost of ownership, benchmarking)
Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing requirements to inform sourcing decisions
Segment and position suppliers based on capability, risk, and strategic importance
Build and execute supplier development roadmaps to enhance performance, capability, and innovation
Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, operations, quality, and finance
To succeed, you will need
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the role.

Degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
Professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS or equivalent) strongly preferred
Proven experience in a strategic sourcing or category management role within a manufacturing or engineered environment
Demonstrated ownership of category strategy development and execution, delivering measurable commercial outcomes
Experience sourcing engineered products or components (e.g. machining, fabrication, castings, plastics or similar)
Deep understanding of strategic sourcing and procurement best practices, including category strategy development, total cost of ownership (TCO), should-cost modelling, and supply market analysis
Strong capability in cost analysis and supply market intelligence, translating data into actionable sourcing strategies
In return, we offer
Culture of trust and accountability
Lifelong learning and career growth
Innovation powered by people
Comprehensive compensation and benefits
Health and well-being
Job location

This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, allowing you to split your time between working remotely and being on-site at our office in Bristol, United Kingdom (GB).

About Edwards

Edwards is a leading developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products, exhaust management systems and related value-added services. Edwards solutions are integral to manufacturing processes for semiconductors, flat panel displays, LEDs and solar cells. They are also used within an increasingly diverse range of industrial processes including power, glass and other coating applications; steel and other metallurgy; pharmaceutical and chemical; and for scientific instruments in a wide range of R&D applications.

Edwards has over 4,000 employees worldwide engaged in the design, manufacture and support of high technology vacuum and exhaust management equipment. Edwards has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Europe, Asia and North America.