At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and procurement activities, negotiate with suppliers, and manage contracts.
- Company: Join a top-rated firm recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, 25 days leave, private medical insurance, and generous pension.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent training and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while collaborating with diverse teams and driving commercial value.
- Qualifications: Practical procurement experience and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
About the role: We have a great opportunity for a Procurement Specialist to join our Procurement team in Birmingham. Within this role you’ll lead a variety of sourcing and procurement activities, from RFx processes and supplier negotiations through to contract renewals and supplier relationship management. You’ll work closely with stakeholders across the firm to drive commercial value, identify cost-saving opportunities and ensure procurement activity meets compliance and risk requirements.
About you: We are looking for an individual who demonstrates practical procurement experience, with a strong understanding of procurement principles and processes. You will be commercially minded, collaborative and enjoy working across a varied range of categories and projects. With experience gained in a service-delivery focused organisation, you’ll be confident negotiating with suppliers and building strong relationships across areas including software, cloud services, IT consulting, HR, facilities management and wider indirect procurement. A strong understanding of commercial terms and conditions, together with excellent negotiation and communication skills, will be key. You’ll enjoy working collaboratively with teams such as Finance, IT and Compliance, using your expertise to influence decisions, navigate competing priorities and achieve strong commercial outcomes.
Qualifications/Systems Knowledge: Member of CIPS or studying towards CIPS qualifications.
What We Can Offer You: The opportunity to work for a firm that has been recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK and has been ranked by Great Place to Work® for 26 consecutive years. Excellent benefits, including:
- A hybrid approach to office and remote working
- 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week's extra annual leave.
- Private medical insurance, and the option to add family members.
- A generous pension allowance.
- Life assurance covering four times your annual salary.
- The chance of a three-month sabbatical every five years
- Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave schemes.
- A range of health and wellbeing programmes
- State of the art offices, in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, with an onsite restaurant
- Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development.
Equal Opportunities: Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity, and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone’s potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.
If you have any queries in relation to this position or would like to see a full job description, please contact Meg Astley at meg.astley@gowlingwlg.com.
Procurement Specialist in Birmingham employer: Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG is an excellent employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, particularly within the Risk and Disputes Construction team in Birmingham. Employees benefit from a flexible hybrid working environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to delivering exceptional client service, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Specialist in Birmingham
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Gowling WLG.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Specialist in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Gowling WLG:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Gowling WLG. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Gowling WLG.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Gowling WLG!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Gowling WLG. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Gowling WLG's culture.
