As a Buyer, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the consistent supply of essential raw materials and components that keep our production operation running—safely, compliantly and on time. You will own sourcing and procurement across your assigned categories, ensuring continuity of supply, regulatory compliance, cost competitiveness, and supplier performance in line with GMP and company standards.
This is a role for an experienced procurement professional who enjoys working in a high-accountability, fast-paced manufacturing environment—and who is excited by the opportunity to help shape how we work as we progress through a significant cultural and systems transformation. You will partner closely with Operations, Quality, Technical, Regulatory and Project teams to support production stability, new product introductions, and continuous improvement—while strengthening supplier performance and building resilience across the supply base. Role reports directly to the Purchasing Manager.
Location: Role is based at our manufacturing site in Loughrea, Co Galway and is eligible for hybrid after probation (3 days onsite, 2 days remote).
As our Buyer, your key responsibilities will be as follows:
Source and purchase materials/components from approved global suppliers in line with GMP and purchasing policy.
Ensure continuity of supply for production and projects through structured planning and proactive risk management(lead times, constraints, dual sourcing, supplier capacity).
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships focused on quality, service, compliance and continuous improvement.
Negotiate pricing and commercial terms (lead times, MOQs and delivery schedules) to deliver best total value and protect security of supply.
Develop alternate/secondary sources to mitigate supply chain risk and strengthen resilience.
Maintain inventory levels to meet production needs and agreed targets, balancing service level vs working capital.
Review MRP/forecast signals and take action to prevent shortages or excess stock; challenge assumptions and drive timely decisions.
Maintain accurate material and supplier master data to support planning and system integrity; champion data quality as systems evolve.
Coordinate inbound logistics with freight partners for materials from Europe and Asia (incl. China); escalate risks early and protect supply.
Support NPI by sourcing and introducing new materials on time; ensure readiness for launch milestones.
Partner with PMs, QA, Regulatory and Technical teams to meet project milestones and remove procurement bottlenecks.
Monitor supplier performance using KPIs (delivery, quality, service and responsiveness); drive corrective actions and improvement plans.
Drive supplier development and continuous improvement activities; identify and implement opportunities to reduce risk, lead time and cost.
Manage purchasing deviations, change controls, investigations and CAPAs per the QMS; demonstrate strong ownership and follow-through.
Identify cost-reduction, standardisation and process-improvement opportunitiesacross assigned categories; bring data-led proposals.
Track industry/commodity trends, capacity constraints and supply risks impacting the assigned commodity; proactively brief stakeholders.
Support sustainability through responsible sourcing, material optimisation and waste reduction.
Act as a positive change agent during systems and process transformation, helping embed consistent ways of working and stronger controls.
Competencies and Skills:
Excellent communication skills—able to influence across Operations, Quality, Technical and supplier stakeholders.
Strong negotiation skills with the confidence to challenge constructively and secure mutually beneficial outcomes.
A high level of accuracy and attention to detail—particularly with planning signals, master data and documentation.
Strong working knowledge of Supply Chain Management principles such as MRP, APS and inventory planning/control.
Cost-savings focused with a strong understanding of total cost, supply risk and service impact.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and tight timelines; strong problem-solving mindset.
Change agility—able to support and embed new processes, systems and ways of working as the function transforms.
Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain Management or a related discipline (QQI Level 8).
Minimum of 5 years’ experience with raw material purchasing within the Pharma or Medical Device industry (essential).
Experience working in a highly regulated field according to standards/regulatory requirements and under a quality management system.
Experience in vendor management and supplier performance management.
APICS/CPIM certification or equivalent is an advantage.
Experience in change management (advantage), ideally within supply chain / procurement transformation.
Experience of SAP/ERP systems (essential).
Applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those returning after a career break or with transferable skills from non‑traditional career paths, are encouraged to apply. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and supporting individuals with disabilities.
