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- Tasks: Support purchasing activities and negotiate with suppliers for the best deals.
- Company: Affinity Water, a leader in sustainable water management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, generous leave, and family benefits.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on procurement processes.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Opportunities for learning, development, and community volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.
The Procurement & Commercial Operations Analyst plays a key role in supporting Affinity Water with operational purchasing activity. The role focuses on securing best value from suppliers where no formal contract or framework exists, acting as a commercial gatekeeper for non-contract spend.
You will confidently challenge supplier pricing, negotiate discounts, drive spend compliance, and ensure internal customers achieve the best commercial outcome. This is a highly interactive role requiring strong communication and negotiation skills, a practical commercial mindset, and a strong focus on process, data, and compliance. You will also support the smooth operation of procurement systems and processes, ensuring policy compliance while delivering fast, effective service to stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities- Act as the first point of contact for non-contract and tactical purchasing requests across the business.
- Engage directly with suppliers to obtain quotations, challenge pricing, and negotiate discounts and improved commercial terms.
- Compare supplier offers and recommend the most commercially advantageous option.
- Ensure purchasing decisions align with Affinity Water's procurement policy and commercial principles.
- Identify repeat or high-value off-contract spend for formal sourcing or contracting activity.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing requirements and provide commercial advice.
- Guide colleagues through the buying process, ensuring requests are handled efficiently and professionally.
- Build strong relationships with operational teams, Finance, and Accounts Payable to resolve queries promptly.
- Support purchasing and receipting activity within Oracle Fusion (P2P).
- Maintain catalogue items, onboard new suppliers, and complete required compliance and due diligence checks.
- Support users with system queries and assist with the rollout and adoption of new procurement tools and system improvements.
- Ensure all buying activity complies with internal policies, governance requirements, and audit standards.
- Maintain accurate records of supplier interactions, quotations, and purchase decisions.
- Support continuous improvement of buying desk processes and contribute to wider procurement and commercial transformation initiatives.
- Experience in a procurement, buying, or commercial environment, with confidence negotiating with suppliers.
- Strong Excel capability to analyse, reconcile, and present procurement data accurately, using formulas, pivot tables, and structured models to support operational reporting, controls, and decision-making.
- Experience with procurement systems or ERP platforms (e.g. Oracle Fusion).
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Highly organised, detail-focused, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
- Salary £35,000 (depending on skills and experience).
- Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
- Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.
- Annual leave from 23-27 rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
- A Celebration Day in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
- A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%).
- We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
- Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
- Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
- Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
- Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community.
- Life Assurance.
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form. Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.
Procurement & Commercial Operations Analyst in Watford employer: Affinity Water Limited
Contact Detail:
Affinity Water Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement & Commercial Operations Analyst in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Affinity Water's values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves challenging supplier pricing and negotiating discounts, try role-playing scenarios with a friend or mentor. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining Affinity Water and ready to dive into the procurement world.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement & Commercial Operations Analyst in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in procurement and commercial operations. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your negotiation prowess and stakeholder engagement!
Show Off Your Data Skills: Since strong Excel capability is key for this role, include specific examples of how you've used Excel to analyse data or support decision-making. We love seeing those pivot tables and formulas in action!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your communication reflects that. Highlight your achievements without fluff – we want to know what you can bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Affinity Water Limited
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your procurement knowledge. Understand key concepts like supplier negotiation, compliance, and the importance of data in decision-making. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to Affinity Water's goals.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully negotiated with suppliers or resolved purchasing issues. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This shows you have the practical skills needed for the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Oracle Fusion
If you have experience with Oracle Fusion or similar ERP systems, be prepared to discuss it. If not, do a bit of research on how these systems work and their role in procurement processes. This will demonstrate your willingness to learn and adapt.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Scenarios
Since the role involves working closely with internal stakeholders, think about how you would handle different scenarios. Prepare to share how you would guide colleagues through the buying process and resolve any queries they might have.
