At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing initiatives for IT spend, managing complex categories and engaging senior stakeholders.
- Company: Join Chain IQ, a global AI-driven Procurement Service Partner with a culture of innovation.
- Benefits: Dynamic international environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a Great Place to Work-certified team that values bold thinking and ownership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with top-tier IT suppliers worldwide.
- Qualifications: Deep knowledge in IT services and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
At Chain IQ, your ideas move fast. Chain IQ is a global AI-driven Procurement Service Partner, headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, with operations across main centres and 16 offices worldwide. We provide tailored, end‑to‑end procurement solutions that enable transformation, drive scalability, and deliver substantial reductions in our clients' indirect spend. Our culture is built on innovation, entrepreneurship, ownership, and impact. Here, your voice matters – bold thinking is encouraged, and action follows ambition.
Purpose of the Role
Deliver value add sourcing services across the full sourcing lifecycle for IT related spend (HW, SW, IT Services, ITO/BPO). The Lead IT Buyer acts as a senior sourcing leader capable of managing complex IT categories, leading strategic BCV and AVC workstreams, engaging senior IT stakeholders (CIO, IT directors), and providing guidance to junior sourcers.
Key Responsibilities
- End to End Sourcing Delivery - Lead sourcing initiatives across all phases: market analysis, RFP management, supplier evaluation, negotiation, and drafting of contractual documents. Manage regional and global initiatives concurrently, ensuring consistent, structured delivery.
- Category Leadership for IT / ITO - Act as the deep subject matter expert for IT (HW, SW, application development, testing, maintenance, infrastructure, cloud, ITO, BPO). Maintain global market awareness across major IT suppliers and service models. Bring proven experience working with Tier1 IT suppliers in Switzerland, UK, and global regions.
- BCV / AVC Contributions - Drive or support BCV (Business Case Validation) work: contract analysis, supplier assessment, spend insights, pipeline creation. Lead or co‑lead AVC (Accelerated Value Capture) initiatives by generating quick win savings, developing sourcing initiative pipelines, engaging stakeholders early to validate IT opportunities, and translating BCV insights into executable sourcing strategies.
- Senior Client & Stakeholder Management - Act as a senior interface to client IT leadership (CIO / IT Management). Confidently lead discussions, influence decision-makers, and align priorities. Represent Chain IQ as the primary expert in client engagements involving IT categories.
- Leadership & Team Development - Project lead a small team of sourcers where required. Coach, upskill, and support junior and tactical sourcers. Ensure adherence to standard sourcing processes, tools, and templates.
- Cross Functional Collaboration - Work jointly with legal, finance, compliance, and technical SMEs for complex deals. Partner with global teams for alignment on strategy and execution.
- Governance, Tools & Documentation - Maintain documentation quality and sourcing audit trails. Support digital sourcing tools (e.g., Archlet, Knowledge Hub). Contribute to category knowledge bases and internal best practice sharing.
Required Experience & Competencies
- Technical / Category Expertise - Deep knowledge in IT Services, Software, Hardware, ITO, BPO. Strong understanding of commercial models, rate cards, service towers, SLAs, and benchmarking practices.
- Sourcing Mastery - Advanced negotiation capability (commercial & contractual). Extensive experience managing complex RFPs, multi‑provider sourcing, and global supplier portfolios.
- Stakeholder & Communication Skills - Excellent communication with senior IT stakeholders. Ability to challenge and influence the business.
- Leadership & Ownership - Ability to take full ownership of sourcing workstreams (including BCV/AVC). Capable of coordinating across functions and geographies.
- Other Requirements - High client orientation. Strong analytical skills and ability to navigate matrix environments. Ability to manage multiple high priority projects simultaneously.
Join a truly global team. We offer a dynamic and international environment where high performance meets real purpose. We're proud to be Great Place to Work-certified and even prouder of the people who make that possible. Let’s shape the future of procurement – together. Chain IQ – Create. Lead. Make an impact.
Lead Buyer IT in London employer: Chain IQ Group AG
At Chain IQ, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and international work environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. Our culture encourages bold thinking and values every employee's voice, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With our Great Place to Work certification, we are committed to creating a workplace where you can make a meaningful impact while collaborating with a talented global team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Buyer IT in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the IT procurement space and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Lead Buyer role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Chain IQ and its culture. Understand their approach to procurement and think about how your experience aligns with their values of innovation and impact. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your deep knowledge in IT services and your experience with Tier 1 suppliers. Make it clear that you can lead sourcing initiatives and drive value for their organisation.
✨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 serious about joining the team at Chain IQ and ready to make an impact in the procurement world.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Buyer IT in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Expertise:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your deep knowledge in IT services and procurement. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role of Lead Buyer IT, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for Chain IQ. Mention specific projects or experiences that relate to our focus on innovation and impact. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and understand what we’re all about.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. Make it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit for the Lead Buyer IT position.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chain IQ Group AG
✨Know Your IT Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of IT services, software, and hardware. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and major suppliers in the market. This will help you speak confidently about your expertise and show that you're the right fit for the Lead Buyer role.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since you'll be engaging with senior IT stakeholders, practice how to communicate effectively with them. Think about how you can influence decision-makers and align priorities. Role-play potential scenarios with a friend to build your confidence.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Be ready to discuss your negotiation experiences in detail. Prepare examples where you've successfully managed complex RFPs or multi-provider sourcing. Highlight your advanced negotiation capabilities and how they can benefit Chain IQ.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
As a Lead Buyer, you'll need to show that you can lead a team and coach junior sourcers. Think of examples from your past where you've taken ownership of projects and supported others. This will illustrate your leadership style and commitment to team development.
