Category Buyer

About the role

We are seeking a highly experienced Category Buyer - Mechanical Components to join our Procurement team. The successful candidate will bring strong manufacturing procurement expertise and in-depth knowledge of sourcing mechanical components such as tubes, plates, forged, cast and extruded parts, as well as plastic injection moulded components. This is a critical role within the Procurement function, responsible for supporting the Procurement Manager in delivering robust category strategies, supplier development, and commercial leadership across key mechanical component categories. The role will play a key part in shaping Brompton's mechanical component supply base and supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes. Working closely with Engineering, Quality, and Project Management teams, the successful candidate will lead sourcing activities to ensure optimal supplier selection, cost competitiveness, and supply reliability. The vision for this role is to deliver sustainable value to Brompton through strategic sourcing, strong supplier partnerships, cost optimisation initiatives, and a resilient global supply base. Main duties and responsibilities Category Strategy & Supply Base Development Develop, implement, and continuously improve category strategies to deliver cost competitiveness, supply security, and innovation. Build and maintain a resilient and competitive global supply base by identifying, evaluating, and onboarding new suppliers. Lead sourcing initiatives for key mechanical component categories including fabricated, forged, cast, extruded and injection moulded parts. Commercial Leadership Lead complex commercial negotiations covering pricing structures, contractual terms, payment conditions, and delivery performance. Manage supplier contracts and ensure compliance with agreed commercial and operational terms. Monitor market trends, cost drivers, and supplier capabilities to support informed sourcing decisions. New Product Introduction (NPI) Lead sourcing activities for NPI projects, ensuring suppliers and manufacturing processes are aligned with product development timelines. Collaborate closely with Project Management, Design, and Quality teams to ensure manufacturability, cost competitiveness, and supply reliability. Drive early supplier involvement to support design optimisation and cost-effective product development. Supplier Performance & Development Develop strong supplier relationships and manage supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness. Conduct supplier performance reviews and lead improvement initiatives where required. Carry out supplier visits and business reviews to strengthen collaboration and identify development opportunities. Cost Optimisation & Value Engineering Identify and deliver cost reduction initiatives through strategic sourcing, resourcing, and value engineering. Apply total cost of ownership (TCO) principles when evaluating sourcing options. Work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive continuous improvement across the supply base. Supply Chain Risk & Resilience Proactively assess supply chain risks including capacity constraints, financial stability, and geopolitical factors. Develop mitigation strategies including dual sourcing, supplier development, and long-term supply agreements. Stakeholder Engagement Act as a key procurement representative in cross-functional meetings and projects. Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across Project Management, Engineering, Quality, Production, and Planning. Represent the Category Buying team in strategic and operational discussions. About You Strong commercial and negotiation skills with a proven ability to deliver measurable value. Solid understanding of manufacturing processes including fabrication, forging, casting, extrusion, and plastic injection moulding. Strong analytical and numerical capability with the ability to evaluate cost drivers and commercial opportunities. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Self-driven, proactive, and able to operate independently in a fast-paced environment. Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Ideally 10+ years of procurement experience in a manufacturing environment. Proven experience sourcing mechanical or engineered components. Experience within the bicycle industry or similar mechanical engineering sectors would be advantageous. Experience with international supplier sourcing and devel