Interim Procurement Buyer/Officer

The Interim Procurement Buyer/Officer will be responsible for supporting purchasing activities at CGT Catapult on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This role can be based out of our London, Stevenage or Braintree facilities. The Interim Procurement Buyer/Officer will be a key ERP (preferably SAP ByDesign) user responsible for updating material and finished goods pricing, reconciling purchase order/invoice discrepancies, and creating new items, vendors, and contracts. The Interim Procurement Buyer/Officer will also act as a key point of contact in interaction with site stakeholders, establishing business needs, and using innovative solutions to meet those needs using their experience to meet challenging targets and to deliver against evolving business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Always ensure the correct application of Company Procurement Procedures and Policies, promoting best practice across the site.
• Responsible for creating and monitoring purchase orders, ensuring requisitions are processed accurately for the procurement of materials/goods, services, and/or supplies in a timely manner.
• Support new supplier setup and onboarding processes, including document requests, PO request and creation, and ensuring compliance with the company’s procurement policies.
• Maintenance of the ERP system (currently SAP ByDesign) and relevant supplier databases, including following up with internal stakeholders and suppliers, to enable the release, tracking, and accurate documentation of materials purchased.
• Maintain stock trackers and upload weekly on ERP system (currently SAP ByDesign).
• Analysis, coordination, and recording of data to ensure the timely arrival of materials needed to support production and business initiatives at the CGT Catapult.
• Monitor the Quick Quotes Inbox and send out form with reference to requestor departments.
• Support and lead on end-to-end Procurement tenders and RFQ’s.
• Oversee low and high value procurement projects in particular projects that exceed £30K, ensuring timely initiation and compliance with company policies and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Perform supplier evaluations and risk assessments before approval, including financial stability and operational capacity.
• Support the vendors, suppliers and service providers, working with relevant departments to review terms, ensure compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Support negotiation of contract renewals to secure favourable terms and cost efficiency for the company.
• Manage and monitor the Buy at Risk contracts, ensuring timely renewals and compliance with company policies.
• Manage supplier insurance documentation and ensure relevant supplier and contract details are updated on the contracts register and Legal Contract Management System as required.
• Attend bi-weekly Contract Register Meetings.
• Provide AP support and support invoice/PO discrepancy resolution activities.
• Coordinate with the CGT Catapult finance department on monthly reporting and the reconciliation of procurement data.
• Other miscellaneous support for general purchasing functions (tracking inventory run out, historical receipts, and data analysis/integrity, as required).
• Collaborate with the wider Procurement team to drive stock management initiatives, focusing on standardisation, cost savings, and supplier consolidation.
• Assist in analysing procurement data to identify opportunities for improving efficiency, reducing stock variability, and leveraging bulk purchasing to achieve savings.
• Assist the Quality Assurance team with tasks related to the eQMS system, ensuring smooth workflow and documentation accuracy.
• Lead the quarterly account meetings with Stationery meetings with Banner and investigate departmental queries or complaints.
• Perform other duties commensurate with the role.

Experience:

• Previous experience of working in a purchasing/procurement role, within a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Experience of procuring through PCR2015, Procurement Act 2023 and experience of daily collaboration with packaging and raw material suppliers to track lead-times on open orders.
• Experience of reviewing and coordinating contract negotiations, to ensure service level standards are met with support from CGT Catapult leadership.
• Demonstrable experience of managing the efficient supply of special and custom design components and consumables.
• Experience managing contracts and supplier renewals.
• Experience running end to end tenders and RFQ’s.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Highly motivated, pragmatic, and practical to support the mission of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult to accelerate the development of a commercial cell and gene-based therapy industry in the UK.
• Good knowledge of the new Procurement Act 2023 and the various Tender procedures that fall under the Act.
• Understands financial governance and legal requirements, and procurement strategies.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• A “roll your sleeves up” hands-on attitude towards varying work assignments.
• Strong stakeholder influencing capability.
• Resilient, with the ability to manage multiple and varied tasks and prioritise workload within a fast-paced professional environment, with strong attention to detail.
• Able to manage competing priorities effectively and meet deadlines.
• Collaborative team player, and adaptable to new challenges.
• Demonstrable knowledge of business practices and resolution of procurement issues.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications and general IT systems.
• Flexibility towards work assignments and new learning.
• Ambitious, collaborative, driven.
• Comfortable operating autonomously once goals and objectives are set.
• A positive attitude towards learning, personal and professional development.
• Keeps up to date with professional knowledge, expertise and best practice.
• Willingness to travel as required by the role.

Education / Qualifications:

• Minimum of three A levels (grade A* - C).
• Project Management qualifications (desirable).
• CIPS level 3 or above (desirable).