Governance Buyer

Governance Buyer

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Foodbuy

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement activities ensuring compliance and efficiency in public sector projects.
  • Company: Join Foodbuy, a key player in food procurement for the NHS.
  • Benefits: Career growth, learning opportunities, and a chance to support the NHS.
  • Other info: Hybrid working with travel to various UK sites.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare through effective procurement solutions.
  • 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 employer: Foodbuy

Foodbuy is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises professional growth and development within the food procurement sector. With a strong commitment to supporting the NHS, employees have the unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that enhance healthcare services across the UK. The hybrid working model across multiple locations, combined with comprehensive training programmes and clear career pathways, ensures that team members can thrive both personally and professionally.
Foodbuy

Contact Detail:

Foodbuy Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Governance Buyer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the procurement field, especially those who work with NHS Supply Chain. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you that Governance Buyer role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contracts Regulations 2015. We want you to show off your expertise and how it aligns with our mission at Foodbuy!

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t forget to showcase your experience with eProcurement systems like Jaggaer. Highlighting your skills in managing tender documentation and compliance will definitely catch our eye!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Governance Buyer

Procurement Act 2023
Public Contracts Regulations 2015
Public Sector Procurement
Tender Documentation Drafting
eProcurement Systems (Jaggaer)
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Analytical Skills
Attention to Detail
Commercial Awareness
Sourcing and Category Management Principles
Governance Oversight
Evaluation Methodologies
Continuous Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Governance Buyer role. Highlight your experience with public sector procurement and any relevant knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your understanding of procurement governance and your ability to manage multiple activities. This will help us see how you can contribute to our team.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your key points stand out without unnecessary fluff!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Foodbuy

✨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, which is crucial for a Governance Buyer role.

✨Showcase Your Tender Experience

Prepare specific examples of your experience with managing public sector procurement exercises, especially frameworks and mini competitions. Highlight any successful outcomes or improvements you've driven in previous roles to demonstrate your capability.

✨Master Stakeholder Management

Think about how you've built relationships with stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share examples of how you've influenced decisions or resolved complex procurement matters, as strong communication skills are key for this position.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Jaggaer

If you have experience using Jaggaer or similar eProcurement systems, make sure to mention it. If not, do a bit of research to understand its functionalities, as being able to discuss how you would optimise such systems can set you apart from other candidates.

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