CAS - Supply Chain & Production Buyer

Role Purpose To take ownership of the day-to-day purchasing of components, materials and services required by Casella, ensuring reliable supply, competitive commercial terms and effective supplier performance in support of manufacturing and customer requirements. Reporting to the Supply Chain & Production Manager, the Supply Chain & Production Buyer combines experienced commercial purchasing and supplier management with practical, hands-on order processing and operational administration. The role operates within agreed purchasing authority and does not own production or material requirements for planning. Functional Scope End-to-end purchasing components, materials, and services against approved business requirements. Supplier sourcing, quotation analysis, negotiation, and ongoing supplier relationship management. Purchase order processing, expediting, delivery resolution, and the raising of production orders as required. Accurate ERP/MRP transactions, purchasing records, order confirmations, and relevant operational information. Liaise with Production, Stores, Manufacturing Engineer and Quality Inspector to protect material availability and resolve issues. Commercial improvement, supply risk identification and escalation to Supply Chain and Production Manager Key Accountabilities 1. Purchasing Execution & Material Supply Manage purchasing activities for allocated components, materials and services, including obtaining quotations, raising and amending purchase orders, securing supplier confirmations, and monitoring delivery against agreed requirements. Proactively resolve shortages, late deliveries and discrepancies, and communicate risks promptly to the relevant teams and the Supply Chain & Production Manager. 2. Supplier Management & Commercial Performance Manage day-to-day supplier relationships, negotiate price, lead time, delivery terms and service improvements within agreed authority, and provide informed recommendations on sourcing and supplier selection. Monitor supplier quality, delivery and responsiveness; address recurring issues. 3. Production Orders, Systems & Operational Control Raise production orders and undertake associated ERP/MRP transactions as required, accurately maintaining purchasing and manufacturing-related records. This is an execution and administration responsibility, not ownership of production planning. Maintain accurate purchasing data, order status, pricing, lead times and supporting documentation, following Casella policies, financial controls and the Quality Management System. 4. Cross-functional Coordination & Issue Resolution Work closely with Production, Stores, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Inspector, Finance and other stakeholders to clarify requirements, resolve supply and invoice discrepancies, and support uninterrupted manufacturing. 5. Cost, Risk & Continuous Improvement Identify and deliver practical opportunities for cost reduction, cost avoidance, improved delivery performance of suppliers, and better purchasing processes, balancing cost with quality, continuity and total value. Use initiative, commercial awareness and a hands-on approach; contribute to purchasing improvements. Key Performance Measures Specific objectives and measures will be agreed through the business planning and performance-management process and may change with business priorities. They will typically cover: Supplier on-time delivery and effective recovery of late or at-risk orders. Continuity of component and material supply in line with approved requirements. Purchasing cost savings, cost avoidance, and achievement of agreed commercial improvements. Purchase order / production order accuracy, timely system transactions and reliable purchasing data. Supplier issue resolution, risk escalation and contribution to quality and continuous improvement. Key Relationships / Contacts Supply Chain & Production Manager and Customer Services Team. Production, Stores, Manufacturing Support, and Finance teams. Product Management and Quality. Approved and potential suppliers, including technical components and materials suppliers. Other Casella teams, TSI group companies, and relevant external partners. Other Requirements Occasional supplier or group-site visits may be required where appropriate. Flexibility to respond to supplier issues, changing operational priorities and periods of high workload may occasionally be required. This profile is not exhaustive. Other reasonable purchasing or operations-support duties, including routine transactional work, may be undertaken consistent with the purpose and seniority of the role.