At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to source and manage IT and Marketing goods and services.
- Company: Greggs, a values-led retail business with a fun culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, discounts, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Great career progression and training opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact on digital transformation and enhance customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing or supplier management, ideally in IT or Marketing.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
A fantastic opportunity has now arisen for a buyer of goods and services to join our (Good Not For Resale) Procurement team at our Head Office in Newcastle upon Tyne. Greggs purchases equipment and services for both its Manufacturing facilities and Retail Estate of circa 2500 shops. The successful candidate for this role will work for the Purchasing Manager responsible for the ongoing Supplier Sourcing and Management of the IT and Marketing category so any experience or at least an interest in these areas would be preferable. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to develop a Purchasing career within a fast-paced, values-led retail business.
With shared responsibility for a portfolio of an estimated £50m spend, you’ll support key projects such as enhancing our digital platforms, introducing new in-store technology, and working with partners who help shape the future of our brand. It’s a chance to gain exposure to high-impact areas of the business and play a role in delivering the tools and campaigns that bring the Greggs experience to customers every day. Over time, the role will evolve to allow you to take ownership of specialist category areas. As part of this role, you’ll be contributing to Greggs’ exciting plans for the future of IT and Marketing. We’re investing in a range of digital transformation initiatives, introducing next-generation technologies into our shops and bakeries, and innovating how we connect with customers through data-led, customer-first campaigns.
You'll work alongside cross-functional teams to support these efforts, building commercial relationships with strategic suppliers and playing a part in Greggs' evolution as a modern, digitally enabled business. We expect applicants to have some experience in purchasing, or in working with suppliers—ideally in either IT or Marketing. However, as this is a development role, we’ll provide structured training and coaching, such as GAP Negotiation and CIPS level 4, to help you grow and succeed.
We can offer you:
- Management Bonus Scheme which is worth up to 10% of your salary
- Pension scheme with matching employer contributions up to 7%
- Colleague discount, up to 50% off our own-produced products
- Profit share - We want everyone to share in the success of the business, so we distribute 10% of our profits to all our colleagues who have at least 6-month service, or more, each year
- 25 days (5 weeks) annual leave, pro-rated, increasing with service (in addition to bank holidays), plus 1 additional floating day
- The opportunity to purchase additional annual leave twice a year
- Colleague share plans, giving you the opportunity to save and invest in Greggs, with the chance to buy Greggs shares at a discounted rate
- Private Medical Insurance which is free for you and subsidised for your dependants
- Income Protection should you become unable to work due to long-term sickness
- Death in service benefit which provides a lump-sum payment equal to 4 times your year's salary
- Virtual GP, Physiotherapy and Lifestyle Consultations - we provide access to a fantastic total wellbeing app for you and your family
- Employee Assistance Programme - we provide all colleagues with access to an EAP helpline providing mental health support as well as financial and legal support
- Savings and discounts, including digital gift card discounts, online cashback, in-store and online coupons and lifestyle offers
- Career progression and learning and development opportunities
- Colleague Networks - internal groups where colleagues and their allies can share their own experiences, offer feedback on the way we do things at Greggs, and provide support to one another
About the role
This is a full-time role, however flexibility in this will be considered. We know that having a work-life balance is important, so we offer our colleagues as much flexibility as possible in line with the needs of their role. The base location for this role is Greggs House, Quorum Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12 8BU.
What you'll do
The successful candidate will need to effectively communicate with both suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring that the appropriate quality and quantity of goods and services are available, when and where required, and to the agreed functional specification.
Key Responsibilities:
- To liaise with Internal Stakeholders where appropriate to understand their requirements for purchases, such that they can be tendered if appropriate
- Negotiating Commercial and Contractual terms with Suppliers, comfortable negotiating MSAs for SaaS and services
- Support in the managing of, and resolving, day to day issues with suppliers in a timely and effective manner.
- Liaise with senior purchasing team to agree approach and activity for purchases linked to their supplier relationships.
- End to end procurement process, RFI, RFP, negotiation, contracting and ongoing supplier management
- Taking ownership for, and driving, cost saving initiatives throughout the business in key areas of responsibility: including but not exclusively, IT hardware, 3rd party software, retail (in-store) marketing, corporate services contracts
- To extract and analyse SAP data to identify opportunities to drive value or consolidate suppliers in their category
- Identifying and negotiating appropriate specifications and SLAs for goods and services supplied
- Adhere, support and contribute to our Responsible Sourcing processes and goals
- Reviewing processes and standard ways of working to support IT category leads with long-term procurement strategy that maintains customer focus and ensures best practice is achieved
- Maintaining good relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers
- To support the Purchasing Managers on larger projects as required
About you
- Outstanding planning and organising skills
- Articulate with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Assertive with ability to manage internal and external contacts with diplomacy
- Persuasive and able to communicate and influence stakeholders at all levels including senior leadership within Greggs
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Experience of working with Suppliers to negotiate better pricing, run tender processes and drive value from supplier interactions
- Experience of dealing with multiple tasks simultaneously
- Experience of reporting from SAP or similar ERP system, running analysis using excel and driving insight from data
- Highly numerate and literate
- Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 suite, including CoPilot and PowerBI reporting, and ideally SAP
About Greggs
Here at Greggs, we love what we do, and we have fun! What makes us so special is our culture - how we behave and support each other. Everyone's welcome at Greggs. Whatever their background, preferences or beliefs we want all of our colleagues to feel welcome and able to be themselves at work.
Salary £35,000 - £40,000 per annum, depending on experience
Frequency Annual
Contract Type Permanent
Contract Details Monday to Friday, however some flexibility may be required depending on business needs
Contract Hours Full time
Closing Date 30 September, 2026
Job Category Head Office
Business Unit Commercial
Location Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Buyer - IT & Marketing in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Greggs plc
At Greggs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where every team member is valued and supported. As a Shift Manager, you'll enjoy competitive pay, generous colleague discounts, and opportunities for personal growth, all while working in a fun environment that prioritises customer satisfaction and teamwork. With benefits like paid breaks, health and wellbeing support, and a pension scheme, we ensure our employees feel appreciated and motivated to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - IT & Marketing in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Greggs plc.
✨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 Buyer - IT & Marketing in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 Greggs plc:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Greggs plc. 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 Greggs plc.
How to prepare for a job interview at Greggs plc
✨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 Greggs plc!
✨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 Greggs plc. 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 Greggs plc's culture.
