At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities ensuring compliance and efficiency in public sector projects.
- Company: Join Foodbuy, a leader in food procurement supporting the NHS.
- Benefits: Career growth, learning opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Hybrid working with travel opportunities across the UK.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that drives positive change in healthcare procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in public sector procurement and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Location: Hybrid – Chertsey / Wakefield / Daresbury / Birmingham
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
About Foodbuy
Foodbuy is a leading food procurement organisation, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support a wide range of clients across public and private sectors, using our scale, expertise and insight to deliver value, innovation and sustainable supply chain solutions. Within Foodbuy, NHS Supply Chain: Food plays a critical role in supporting hospitals and healthcare organisations across the UK — helping Trusts deliver outstanding food and dining services while meeting commercial, quality and regulatory expectations. Our teams work in close partnership with the NHS to drive engagement, improve performance and identify opportunities that genuinely make a difference.
The Role
We are looking for a Governance Buyer to join our NHS Supply Chain: Food team. This is a key role focused on ensuring procurement activity is fully compliant, commercially robust and aligned with organisational strategy. You will lead and support end-to-end public procurement exercises, working closely with Category teams and wider stakeholders to design and deliver procurement solutions that are transparent, efficient and compliant — while driving best practice and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead full framework tender exercises and the establishment of Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS), from strategy development through to contract award
- Draft and manage tender documentation, publish notices, design compliant evaluation methodologies and lead evaluation and moderation processes, ensuring a robust audit trail
- Provide governance oversight and advice for mini competitions, RFQs, e-auctions and direct awards under existing frameworks and Dynamic Markets
- Advise on route-to-market decisions, evaluation approaches and regulatory compliance
- Operate and optimise the eProcurement system (Jaggaer), configuring tender stages and ensuring governance controls are embedded throughout
- Contribute to Category and Sourcing Strategies, providing governance and regulatory input to support savings delivery and market engagement
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, templates and guidance to ensure consistent ways of working
- Support and deliver training and awareness sessions to embed best practice procurement processes
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and support the resolution of complex procurement matters
What You’ll Bring
- Strong working knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contracts Regulations 2015
- Experience managing or supporting public sector procurement exercises, including frameworks and mini competitions
- Sound understanding of procurement governance, transparency and audit requirements
- Experience drafting procurement and tender documentation
- Experience using Jaggaer or a comparable eProcurement system
- Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
- Ability to manage multiple procurement activities and work to challenging deadlines
- Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail
- Commercial awareness and understanding of sourcing and category management principles
Working Pattern
This is a full-time hybrid role, aligned to offices in Chertsey, Wakefield, Daresbury or Birmingham, depending on home location. Some travel to UK-based sites and offices will be required.
Why Join Us
In return, we offer clearly defined career pathways, strong learning and development programmes, and progression opportunities to support long-term career growth — alongside the opportunity to play a meaningful role in supporting the NHS through compliant and impactful procurement.
Governance Buyer in Ashford employer: Compass Group
Foodbuy is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering clearly defined career pathways and robust learning programmes. With a hybrid working model across multiple locations, including Chertsey, Wakefield, Daresbury, and Birmingham, employees enjoy a flexible work culture while contributing to impactful procurement solutions that support the NHS. Join us to be part of a team that values compliance, innovation, and collaboration in delivering outstanding services to healthcare organisations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Governance Buyer in Ashford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Foodbuy or NHS Supply Chain. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand how your skills align with their mission, especially in procurement and governance. We want to see you shine and show us why you're the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you articulate your experience and skills confidently. The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll feel when it’s time to impress us.
✨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 Governance Buyer in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Governance Buyer role. Highlight your experience with public sector procurement and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align 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 contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and any experience with Jaggaer.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:In your application, emphasise your strong stakeholder management and communication skills. We value collaboration, so share examples of how you've built relationships and resolved complex procurement matters in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Foodbuy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Procurement Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you understand the legal framework you'll be working within.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. This is crucial for a Governance Buyer, so think about specific situations where your communication and influencing skills made a difference.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Jaggaer
If you have experience using Jaggaer or similar eProcurement systems, be ready to discuss it. If not, do some research on its functionalities and how it supports procurement processes. This knowledge can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to talk about how you've used analytical skills in past procurement activities. Whether it's drafting tender documentation or evaluating bids, having concrete examples will help illustrate your attention to detail and commercial awareness.
