At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and manage supplier relationships to drive value.
- Company: Join CrossCountry, a dynamic company shaping the future of procurement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing your skills in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in procurement with strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 33300 - 40700 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham / Hybrid
Salary: Circa £37K
Shape the future of procurement at CrossCountry. Are you a commercially minded procurement professional looking for your next opportunity? Join CrossCountry as a Procurement Buyer and play an important role in delivering effective, value-driven procurement across the business. Working closely with stakeholders, suppliers and the wider rail community, you'll help turn business requirements into successful sourcing outcomes while contributing to the continued development of our procurement function.
This is a varied role where no two days are the same. You could be running a competitive quotation exercise one day, coordinating a tender evaluation the next, and then working with stakeholders, suppliers or colleagues to improve procurement processes and ways of working. It's an opportunity to build your procurement experience, influence change and make a visible contribution to the business.
What you'll be doing:
- Delivering procurement activity – Lead low-value, low-complexity sourcing and procurement exercises from initial requirement through to contract award, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Managing tenders – Build and administer RFQs, RFPs and ITTs, preparing documentation, coordinating supplier communications and supporting evaluation activities.
- Working with stakeholders – Build strong relationships across CrossCountry and the wider Arriva community, understanding business requirements and providing practical procurement guidance.
- Managing suppliers – Develop positive supplier relationships and ensure professional communication, effective engagement and appropriate performance, quality and service levels.
- Analysing commercial information – Carry out quotation analysis, supplier benchmarking and market assessments to support sourcing decisions and deliver value for money.
- Supporting contracts – Assist with contract award and mobilisation, ensuring procurement documentation is complete and contracts are accurately recorded and managed.
- Maintaining procurement records – Keep tender documentation, supplier information, records and audit trails accurate and up to date.
- Supporting governance and compliance – Ensure procurement activity meets company policies, delegated authorities, regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
- Providing insight and reporting – Support procurement reporting, tender updates, savings reporting and management information.
- Driving continuous improvement – Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, systems and documentation and contribute to the ongoing development of the Procurement function.
About you:
We're looking for someone who combines procurement knowledge with strong commercial awareness, organisation and relationship-building skills. You'll ideally have:
- 2+ years' experience in procurement, purchasing, buying or supply chain.
- Experience supporting sourcing and tendering activities, including RFQs, RFPs and ITTs.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to analyse supplier proposals and quotations.
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Good problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and take ownership of your work.
- The flexibility and resilience to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Experience using procurement, ERP or e-sourcing systems.
Why join CrossCountry?
This is more than a role focused on processing purchase orders or running tenders. You'll have the opportunity to help shape how procurement works across CrossCountry, using your commercial expertise and ideas to improve efficiency, support better decision-making and deliver value for the business.
You'll join a collaborative and developing procurement team where your contribution will be visible and valued. Whether you're looking to broaden your procurement experience, take on greater responsibility or help drive new ways of working, this role offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact.
If you're ready to take the next step in your procurement career and help shape the future of procurement at CrossCountry, we'd love to hear from you.
Procurement Buyer in Birmingham employer: Arriva TrainCare
CrossCountry in Leeds offers an exceptional work environment for the Retail Service Manager role, where you can thrive in a supportive culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With competitive salaries and comprehensive training programmes, you will have the opportunity to advance your career within a national transport brand while contributing to memorable passenger experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Buyer in Birmingham
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Arriva TrainCare.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Buyer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Arriva TrainCare:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Arriva TrainCare. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Arriva TrainCare.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva TrainCare
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Arriva TrainCare!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Arriva TrainCare. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Arriva TrainCare's culture.
