At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage contracts, negotiate with suppliers, and streamline procurement processes.
- Company: Join AO, a leading electrical retailer focused on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, pension contributions, health perks, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while building strong partnerships.
- Qualifications: CIPS or ISM certification and 12 months experience in procurement.
- Other info: Dynamic onsite culture that fuels creativity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 ÂŁ per year.
At AO, we’re all about making things better — for our customers, our teams, and our business, and behind every great deal, seamless contract, and trusted supplier relationship, there’s a Procurement Specialist making it all happen.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives on detail, enjoys building strong partnerships, and isn’t afraid to ask, \”Why?\” or \”How can we improve this?\” You’ll be the go-to expert for managing contracts, negotiating with suppliers, and helping AO make smart, cost-effective decisions — all while keeping risks low and standards sky-high. If you\’re commercially savvy, process-driven, and ready to make a real impact, we’d love to welcome you to the team.
Our people are our superpower, and we’re unstoppable when we’re together! We want your ideas to flow, and what better way to make that happen than being based onsite, 5 days a week, where our culture fuels creativity, collaboration and growth. If a £1 bet in the pub between two friends can become the UKs most trusted electrical retailer, imagine what else can be achieved when we’re together!
Here\’s What You Can Expect To Be Doing
- Managing the full contract lifecycle, from tenders to renewals and everything in between
- Working closely with our Legal team and business stakeholders to get contracts just right
- Negotiating with suppliers to deliver savings and terms
- Reviewing TCs to spot risks before they become problems
- Streamlining processes and aligning contract timelines
- Supporting supplier sourcing and onboarding (including full tender processes)
- Building strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams
- Keeping everyone informed of contract changes and updates
- Completing due diligence checks (Tax, Ethics, Info-sec, GDPR, etc.)
- Maintaining and improving contract records
- Reporting issues and supporting process improvements across onboarding, offboarding, and renewals
A Few Things About You
- You\’ll have a CIPS or ISM certification
- At least 12 months experience in procurement or supplier management environment
- Experience in indirect categories (Tech, Logistics, Estates, Finance)
- Strong understanding of supplier lifecycle and contract terms
- Confident communicator with great influencing skills
- Organised, proactive, and results-driven
- Comfortable navigating tricky conversations, experience in building great relationship with Internal and external stakeholders
- Analytical mindset with a love for process improvement
- A team player who’s not afraid to challenge, and bring new ways of working
A Bit About Us
When it comes to appliances and electricals, we’ve got the lot. Washing machines? Yep. TVs? Check. Laptops? Absolutely. Everything except doorbells (just kidding, we’ve got those too).
We’re known for helping our customers brilliantly – and it’s no different for AOers. We care about more than what’s on your CV, because together we can do extraordinary things.
Our benefits are designed to cover the moments that matter to AOers. From health and wellness to giving back – you’ll be rewarded inside and outside of work.
Benefits
- Holidays; 25 days, plus bank holidays (increasing to 27 days after 2 years with us!)
- Pension; Contribute 5% of your annual salary and we\’ll do the same, giving you a little extra support for the future.
- Be a VIP at the AO Arena; we have loads of opportunities to win free tickets and pre-sale access!
- Health & wellbeing; discounted gym membership, an onsite spa and our Help @ Hand scheme giving you access to virtual GP’s, Mental Health support and much more.
- Discounts; exclusive discounts across our product range.
- Family leave; Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave.
- Making a difference; 2 fully paid days a year to donate your time to any charity of your choice.
- On site perks; start your day with free on site parking, grabbing a complimentary breakfast and a coffee at our subsidised Starbucks!
To see all our benefits and perks, visit our AO Benefits page.
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Procurement Specialist employer: AO.com
Contact Detail:
AO.com Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research AO's values, culture, 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
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 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you can demonstrate your procurement skills and experience. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for AO.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Procurement Specialist role. Highlight your experience in managing contracts, negotiating with suppliers, and any relevant certifications like CIPS or ISM. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for procurement and how you can contribute to AO’s mission. Don’t forget to mention specific examples of how you’ve improved processes or built strong supplier relationships in the past.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires an analytical mindset, make sure to include examples that demonstrate your ability to spot risks and improve processes. We love candidates who can think critically and bring new ideas to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll get to explore more about AO and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at AO.com
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your procurement knowledge. Understand the full contract lifecycle and be ready to discuss your experience with managing contracts, negotiating with suppliers, and spotting risks. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples of how you've used your analytical mindset to improve processes in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific situations where your attention to detail made a difference, especially in supplier management or contract negotiations. This will highlight your ability to contribute to AO's goal of making smart, cost-effective decisions.
✨Build Relationships, Even Virtually
Since this role involves building strong partnerships, think of ways to demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Share stories about how you’ve successfully collaborated with internal teams or suppliers, even in challenging situations. This will show that you can thrive in AO’s collaborative culture.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about AO's approach to supplier relationships or how they handle contract renewals. This not only shows your interest in the role but also aligns with the company’s value of continuous improvement and innovation.