Lead Buyer IT

Lead Buyer IT

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Chain IQ

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead sourcing initiatives for IT spend and manage complex categories.
  • 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 growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a Great Place to Work-certified team and shape the future together.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with senior IT leaders.
  • Qualifications: Deep knowledge in IT services and strong negotiation skills required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Location: London, GB

Date: May 8, 2026

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 a 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 engaging stakeholders early to validate IT opportunities. 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. 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 employer: Chain IQ

At Chain IQ, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and international work environment in London where innovation and bold thinking are at the forefront of our culture. As a Lead Buyer in IT, you will have the opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders, lead strategic sourcing initiatives, and contribute to meaningful projects that drive transformation and scalability for our clients. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and encourage a collaborative atmosphere where your voice truly matters.
Chain IQ

Contact Detail:

Chain IQ Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Buyer IT

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the role of Lead Buyer IT. Highlight your achievements and be prepared to discuss how you can add value to their procurement processes.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Buyer IT

Sourcing Lifecycle Management
Market Analysis
RFP Management
Supplier Evaluation
Negotiation Skills
Contract Drafting
IT Category Expertise
Stakeholder Engagement
Business Case Validation (BCV)
Accelerated Value Capture (AVC)
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Digital Sourcing Tools
Analytical Skills
Project Management
Client Orientation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Buyer IT role. Highlight your experience in IT procurement and sourcing, and don’t forget to mention any specific projects that showcase your skills in managing complex IT categories.

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 your background aligns with Chain IQ’s values. Be bold and let your personality come through!

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate the impact of your work, especially in areas like cost savings or efficiency improvements.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the quickest way for us to see your application and get you into the process. Don’t miss out!

How to prepare for a job interview at Chain IQ

✨Know Your IT Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of IT services, software, and hardware. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed complex RFPs or worked with Tier 1 IT suppliers. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the terms but can also apply them in real-world scenarios.

✨Master the Art of Negotiation

Since negotiation is key for this role, prepare by reviewing your past experiences where you successfully negotiated contracts or supplier agreements. Think about the strategies you used and be ready to share these during the interview. It’s all about demonstrating your advanced negotiation capabilities!

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Practice how you would approach senior IT stakeholders like CIOs or IT directors. Prepare to discuss how you’ve influenced decision-makers in the past and align priorities effectively. Showing that you can confidently lead discussions will set you apart from other candidates.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Be prepared to talk about your experience in leading teams and coaching junior sourcers. Highlight any instances where you took ownership of sourcing workstreams and how you ensured adherence to standard processes. This will demonstrate your capability to manage and inspire a team.

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