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 of procurement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with senior IT stakeholders.
- 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 in London employer: Chain IQ
Contact Detail:
Chain IQ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Buyer IT in London
✨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 about reaching out 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 the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses 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 the team at Chain IQ.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us 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 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Buyer IT role. Highlight your experience in IT procurement and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to Chain IQ. We love bold thinking, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your sourcing mastery and stakeholder management skills. Numbers and results speak volumes, so let us know what you've accomplished!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Let’s shape the future of procurement together!
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 prepared to discuss specific examples of your experience with Tier 1 IT suppliers and how you've managed complex RFPs. 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, think of a few successful negotiation stories from your past. Highlight your advanced negotiation skills and how they led to positive outcomes. Practising these stories will help you articulate your experience confidently during the interview.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you've influenced senior stakeholders in previous roles. Think about specific instances where you aligned priorities or led discussions with IT leadership. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and manage relationships at a high level.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Buyer, you'll need to coach and support junior sourcers. Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to take ownership of sourcing workstreams and how you’ve contributed to team success.