At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational procurement activities and manage the Buying Desk team.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in the Water division, based in Stevenage.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate of £600, hybrid working, and ongoing contract.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving cost savings and improving procurement processes.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are currently looking for a Procurement Operations Manager. You will be working in Stevenage. Hybrid working Monday - Friday 45 hours per week Temp Contract - Ongoing Day rate - £600 per day umbrella.
Job Purpose
The primary purpose of this role is to lead the effective delivery of operational procurement activity across the Water division, ensuring robust process control, supplier performance, and compliance with procurement policies and preferred supplier frameworks. The role focuses on driving cost avoidance, improving purchasing behaviours, reducing invoices on hold, and delivering supply chain rationalisation, while maintaining strong governance over P-card spend and master data integrity. It is responsible for producing and leveraging data insights to improve operational performance, supporting bid and mobilisation activity, and embedding new suppliers into business processes.
Main Duties
- Manage the performance of the Buying Desk team as part of wider operational procurement delivery, ensuring adherence to lead time SLAs and quality management KPIs.
- Act as an escalation point for procurement-related queries, including those arising from the Buying Desk.
- Resolve non-standard procurement queries across operational activities, including those received via the Buying Desk.
- Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures for operational procurement activities.
- Monitor and enforce compliance with preferred supplier pathways across all purchasing activity.
- Deliver against an agreed cost avoidance savings target.
- Drive improvements in catalogue utilisation and reduce non-catalogue purchasing activity across the business.
To discuss this vacancy, please apply to the job with your updated CV.
Procurement Operations Manager in Stevenage employer: 4Recruitment Services
As a Videographer for our local authority client in South London, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to producing high-quality video content that supports the council's key priorities. The role offers a collaborative work culture, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the community. With competitive pay and a focus on creativity, this position is ideal for those looking to thrive in a supportive environment while contributing to important local initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Operations Manager in Stevenage
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Operations Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show 4Recruitment Services that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, 4Recruitment Services can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows 4Recruitment Services that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let 4Recruitment Services know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at 4Recruitment Services
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
