Location
London
Hours
Full Time
Salary
Competitive salary package
About the Role
Reporting to the Group Senior Buyer, the Buyer will play an important role in shaping and developing a defined portfolio of indirect procurement categories across the business. This is a hands-on, commercially focused role with the opportunity to strengthen category strategy, improve supplier performance, increase contract coverage, build effective stakeholder relationships and deliver measurable value. The Buyer will take ownership of a varied and important category portfolio, including: Cleaning, Pest Control, Catering, Water Coolers, Materials Testing, Office Moves & Furniture, Scaffolding, Fleet HGV Tenders, and Fleet HGV Framework Agreements. The strategic objective is to develop these categories from reactive purchasing activity into structured, proactive category management. The role will use insight into demand, suppliers, markets, contracts, cost drivers, service performance and risk to support better sourcing decisions, stronger supplier governance, improved compliance, sustainability outcomes and value for money.
Key areas of focus include
Reducing cost through tendering, negotiation, aggregation and improved contract coverage. Improving supplier performance through KPI review, governance meetings and performance improvement plans. Increasing compliance by directing spend through agreed suppliers, contracts and procurement routes. Managing category risk, including service continuity, supplier resilience, legal compliance and operational impact. Supporting sustainability and responsible procurement through supplier engagement and category planning. The Buyer will also provide the first level of category-led support for Tier 1 escalations across their portfolio. These are serious or recurring supplier issues that create operational disruption, high stakeholder concern or repeated service failure, and require active procurement ownership to drive resolution and restore performance.
What you'll be doing
Demonstrate and deliver commercial value, insight and cost savings through category planning and strategic sourcing. Implement a robust category plan and deliver in line with the business strategy, stakeholder requirements and sustainability objectives. Manage end to end sourcing activities via our E Procurement system in line with category strategy and stakeholder requirements. Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders to drive the category plan and ensure suitable involvement and support from Procurement in all sourcing activities undertaken across the business. Negotiate contracts and agreements with suppliers in accordance with Group procedures and collaboration with stakeholders. Implement robust Supplier Relationship Management processes, with robust metrics and governance to ensure continuous improvement is driven. This includes running performance improvement plans with suppliers where required. Ensure that supply chain complies with all legal and regulatory requirements and that their services meet appropriate standards for quality and performance. Deliver clear communications and updates of relevant activities to all necessary stakeholders. Collaborate with the Procurement Sustainability team to develop initiatives and drive our sustainability agenda.
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
Why join us?
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits: Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow. 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata). Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave. Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…
Experience
- Demonstrable experience in procurement and supply chain management.
- Experience in procurement and category management, particularly running end to end tenders and sourcing activities.
- Experience reviewing and negotiating legal agreements including Terms and Conditions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
About you
- Preferred CIPS qualified or willingness to study towards or equivalent studies.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders and apply supplier relationship management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Natural and articulate around senior management with good listening skills and ability to focus on issues critical to senior leaders.
- Strong facilitation skills to steer discussions towards decisions.
- Strong time management skills with ability to set deadlines and meet them.
- Strong work ethic, enthusiastic and self-driven.
- Ability to be self-motivated, take ownership of the category and positively impact the procurement function and wider business.
- Strategic thinker who seeks opportunities for effective change and suggests innovative ideas for improvement.
- Effective decision making based on empirical data and evidenced experience.
- Ability to communicate purpose and rationale with clarity and enthusiasm while respecting others’ opinions and maintaining strong relationships.
- Autonomous with high degree of professionalism and integrity.
- Collaborates within a positive team environment by sharing knowledge, valuing diverse perspectives, supporting colleagues, and contributing to collective success.
Qualifications
Preferred CIPS qualification or willingness to study towards it, or equivalent procurement-related studies.
