At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement of indirect goods and services, ensuring value and compliance.
- Company: Beaufort, a global leader in survival and safety technologies.
- Benefits: 4-day work week, 26.5 days holiday, life assurance, and professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real impact in defence and aerospace.
- Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and experience in procurement processes.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Beaufort is a global leader in survival and safety technologies, protecting personnel operating in some of the world’s most demanding defence and aerospace environments. We are seeking an Indirect Buyer to manage the procurement of all indirect goods and services (non‑production spend), ensuring value for money, contract compliance, risk mitigation, and timely availability of services required to support operations across the site/business.
Key Responsibilities
- Sourcing and Procurement Lead
- The Sourcing Of Indirect Categories Such As:
- Facilities & maintenance (FM)
- IT hardware/software & services
- Professional services (legal, consultancy, recruitment)
- PPE, office supplies, packaging
- Travel & fleet
- Utilities, waste management
- Capex & engineering services
- Conduct RFQs, RFPs and tender processes using structured evaluation criteria.
- Drive competitive bidding and leverage spend across multiple sites/business units where possible.
- Negotiate and implement supplier contracts, SLAs, and pricing agreements.
- Monitor supplier performance, delivery, service levels, and compliance.
- Maintain supplier onboarding documents, NDAs, insurance evidence, and qualification records.
- Work with Finance and Legal to ensure contract alignment and risk reduction.
- Cost Management
- Deliver annual cost saving and cost avoidance targets.
- Analyse total cost of ownership (TCO) and identify consolidation opportunities.
- Support budgeting cycles with accurate forecasting of indirect spend.
- Track savings, rebates, credits, and performance improvement commitments.
- Purchase Order & System Compliance
- Ensure all indirect procurement follows company policy and purchasing controls.
- Improve PR – PO compliance and reduce maverick spend.
- Maintain accurate vendor data, price lists, contract visibility, and catalogues.
- Support IFS optimisation for indirect categories (automation, workflows, catalogues).
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with functional leads (Engineering, HR, Operations, IT, SHE, Facilities, Finance) to understand demand.
- Provide procurement guidance, contract insights, and market intelligence.
- Challenge specifications where appropriate and drive standardisation.
- Communicate timelines, risks, and changes effectively.
Requirements
- Strong negotiation and commercial acumen
- Category management experience
- Knowledge of procurement processes and ERP systems (IFS advantageous)
- Data analysis & reporting
- Supplier management and contract law basics
- Stakeholder influencing and communication
Full time for Beaufort is a 4-day, 36 hour week with Friday off! 26.5 days holidays including public holidays. Additional day off to celebrate your birthday. Cycle to Work Scheme. Life Assurance up to 4X salary. Pension Scheme. Training & Professional Development Opportunities.
Indirect Buyer in Ellesmere Port employer: Beaufort
Beaufort is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a unique 4-day work week, generous holiday allowance, and comprehensive benefits including a Cycle to Work Scheme and Life Assurance, we foster an environment where our team can thrive while contributing to cutting-edge survival and safety technologies in the defence and aerospace sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Indirect Buyer in Ellesmere Port
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Beaufort and understanding their procurement processes. Be ready to discuss how your skills in negotiation and category management can add value to their operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your experience with indirect procurement and how you can help drive cost savings and compliance. Confidence is key when you're selling yourself to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Beaufort team.
We think you need these skills to ace Indirect Buyer in Ellesmere Port
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Indirect Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement, negotiation skills, and any relevant category management experience. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about procurement and how you can add value to our team at Beaufort. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your strong negotiation and commercial acumen in your application. Mention specific examples where you've successfully managed supplier relationships or driven cost savings. We’re all about results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Beaufort
✨Know Your Categories
Familiarise yourself with the specific indirect categories you'll be managing, like IT services and facilities maintenance. Research current trends and challenges in these areas to show your understanding and readiness to tackle them.
✨Master Negotiation Techniques
Brush up on your negotiation skills before the interview. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you successfully negotiated contracts or pricing agreements, highlighting your commercial acumen and ability to drive value.
✨Understand Procurement Processes
Make sure you have a solid grasp of procurement processes and ERP systems, especially IFS if you can. Be ready to explain how you've used data analysis and reporting in previous roles to support decision-making and cost management.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Think about how you would engage with various stakeholders across the business. Prepare examples of how you've communicated timelines, risks, and changes in the past, showcasing your influencing skills and ability to drive standardisation.
