Senior Buyer/Buyer

Senior Buyer/Buyer

Stowmarket Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement projects and manage supplier performance for exciting construction projects.
  • Company: Join Freedom Group, a leading engineering firm with a rich history and innovative approach.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and a salary sacrifice car scheme.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values growth, innovation, and social impact in the construction industry.
  • Qualifications: Experience in project-based procurement and MCIPS qualification preferred but not essential.
  • Other info: We support your career progression with training and a clear development path.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Freedom Group have a brilliant opportunity for a Senior Buyer to join their team. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, this role will support the management of current contracts and assist in new tenders where required. You will work closely with the Commercial Managers and flex across Direct and Indirect categories to include Sub-Contractors, Civils, Utilities, Cabling, Switchgears, and Transformers.

Some of the key deliverables in this role will include:

  • Working with operational teams, lead supplier performance reviews including the recording of output into the proprietary system, providing feedback to suppliers and implementing improvement plans where necessary.
  • Lead on full end to end process on project specific procurement tenders.
  • Proactively support bid teams with up to date and accurate procurement data and sub-contractor/supplier costs where required, ensuring that the best value for money and added value price is identified.
  • Work with Operational teams on an ongoing basis to ensure that sub-contractors and suppliers are the best fit for the contract and continue to deliver value to support contract retention and exemplar customer satisfaction.
  • Support operational delivery teams in pre-commencement periods through the publication of known/national SLAs and the development of contract specific, value adding SLAs with key suppliers.
  • Manage supply chain in your operational business units to maximise value for that business unit and the wider division.
  • Ensure supply chain relationships are developed and maintained to deliver exemplar performance, bring appropriate technical innovation and keep us ahead of the competition.

We’re looking for candidates with experience of project-based Procurement who bring confidence, knowledge and drive to the team. Ideally, you will be MCIPS qualified (although we will support progression to MCIPS) and have the following:

  • Managed project procurement spends of £2m +.
  • Lead Procurement Projects from start to finish.
  • Mix of direct and indirect procurement experience and capability.
  • Understands the needs of stakeholders through engagement within the specific business units, supports colleagues who are operating within a range of different sectors.
  • Understands the markets we operate in and can anticipate the effect upon our business and reacts accordingly.
  • Confident, enthusiastic and the ability to self-manage.

Benefits:

  • Salary sacrifice car scheme (Hybrid/Electric Vehicle).
  • 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays with an option to Buy/Sell additional days.
  • Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution.
  • Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days.
  • Private Medical Insurance.
  • Life Assurance.
  • Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice).
  • Flexible benefits to choose from including Dental Insurance, Gym Membership, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes.

As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation. We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.

Freedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training. Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies. Progression is something we value and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be.

Senior Buyer/Buyer employer: Freedom

Freedom Group is an exceptional employer located in Stowmarket, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive benefits including a salary sacrifice car scheme, generous holiday allowance, and comprehensive health support, we are committed to nurturing talent and fostering a collaborative environment where every team member can thrive. Join us to be part of innovative projects within the building and infrastructure industry, backed by a clear development path and ongoing training opportunities.
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Contact Detail:

Freedom Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer/Buyer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific procurement categories mentioned in the job description, such as Sub-Contractors and Utilities. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the procurement field, especially those who have experience in project-based procurement. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during your application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Research Freedom Group and their recent projects or initiatives. Being able to discuss their work and how you can contribute will show your genuine interest in the company and the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience managing procurement spends of £2m or more. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led procurement projects from start to finish, as this aligns closely with the key deliverables of the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer/Buyer

Project Procurement Management
Supplier Performance Review
Contract Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Cost Analysis
Value for Money Assessment
End-to-End Procurement Process
Data Analysis and Reporting
Negotiation Skills
MCIPS Qualification (or willingness to pursue)
Understanding of Direct and Indirect Procurement
Market Analysis
Relationship Management
Technical Innovation Awareness
Self-Management and Motivation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in project-based procurement, especially managing spends of £2m or more. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead procurement projects from start to finish.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention your MCIPS qualification or your willingness to progress towards it, and explain how your skills align with the key deliverables mentioned in the job description.

Showcase Stakeholder Engagement: Provide examples of how you've engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your understanding of their needs and how you supported colleagues across different sectors, as this is crucial for the Senior Buyer position.

Highlight Supply Chain Management Skills: Emphasise your experience in managing supply chains and developing relationships with suppliers. Discuss how you've maximised value for business units and contributed to customer satisfaction in past roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom

✨Understand the Role

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior Buyer. Familiarise yourself with procurement processes, supplier management, and the specific categories mentioned in the job description, such as Civils and Utilities.

✨Prepare Relevant Examples

Be ready to discuss your past experiences in project-based procurement. Prepare specific examples where you've managed significant spends or led procurement projects from start to finish, highlighting your achievements and the value you added.

✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills

Since the role involves working closely with operational teams and stakeholders, be prepared to discuss how you've successfully engaged with different business units in the past. Highlight your ability to understand their needs and how you’ve supported them.

✨Demonstrate Your Market Knowledge

Research the markets relevant to Freedom Group and be ready to discuss how market trends can impact procurement strategies. Showing that you can anticipate changes and react accordingly will demonstrate your proactive approach.

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