At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive cost reduction and supplier performance in a fast-paced procurement role.
- Company: Join Alexander Dennis, a leader in sustainable public transport solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, wellbeing support, and enhanced family benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive culture where your voice matters and growth opportunities abound.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on cities and air quality while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and experience in supplier relationship management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Farnborough or Skelmersdale
Our Vision & Why It Matters
At Alexander Dennis, our vision is to lead the evolution of sustainable on‑road mass transportation and mobility. We design, deliver, and support market‑leading buses and coaches that help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and keep communities connected. Every role contributes to that mission whether you’re engineering, driving sales, improving production, or supporting our customers.
What You’ll Do
As a Senior Commodity Buyer – AD24 you will take ownership of a defined procurement portfolio, driving cost reduction, supplier performance, and supply continuity. Working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers, you’ll ensure effective sourcing strategies, strong commercial outcomes, and reliable supply to support parts sales growth and service delivery.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a commercially driven procurement professional with strong negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships. You will be confident operating in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment, with the ability to deliver cost, quality and performance improvements while supporting strategic sourcing and operational procurement activities.
Bonus if You Have
- Experience in the automotive, bus, coach, or commercial vehicle sector
- Knowledge of global sourcing and working with suppliers in low‑cost regions
- Experience using ERP or P2P systems within a procurement environment
- A professional qualification such as CIPS or a relevant business degree
What We Offer
- Impact: Be part of something that’s changing cities, improving air quality and evolving public transport.
- Development & Growth: Training programmes, mentorship and opportunities to take on new roles and broaden skills.
- Culture & Belonging: An inclusive environment; your voice matters; we treat people fairly.
- Perks & Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, wellbeing support, cycle‑to‑work scheme and enhanced maternity and paternity benefits.
Our Values – What Guides Us
- Safety: The health and wellbeing of our team members and the safety of our products are our top priority.
- Quality: We strive for excellence in our products, services and everything we do.
- Integrity: We act with honesty, transparency and integrity, treating each other with respect in a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
- Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions, seeking to build trust and earn a reputation for excellence and reliability.
- Teamwork: We work with our team members, our supplier partners and our customers to pursue mutual benefits.
- Sustainability: We seek long‑term success for our business, our communities and the environment through responsible sourcing, lean manufacturing and sustainable operations.
Senior Commodity Buyer - Fixed Term Contract in Skelmersdale employer: Alexander Dennis
At Alexander Dennis, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Farnborough or Skelmersdale where every role contributes to our mission of sustainable transportation. Our commitment to employee development is reflected in our comprehensive training programmes and mentorship opportunities, while our inclusive culture ensures that every voice is heard and valued. With competitive salaries, robust benefits, and a focus on safety and integrity, we provide a rewarding workplace for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commodity Buyer - Fixed Term Contract in Skelmersdale
✨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 Senior Commodity Buyer - Fixed Term Contract in Skelmersdale
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 Alexander Dennis 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, Alexander Dennis 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 Alexander Dennis 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 Alexander Dennis 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 Alexander Dennis
✨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.
