At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and build strong supplier relationships to drive business success.
- Company: Join Liquidline, the UK's fastest-growing coffee solutions provider with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, enhanced sick pay, and a comprehensive health plan.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to excellence and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while growing your career.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in procurement with strong negotiation and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Liquidline is the fastest-growing commercial coffee solutions provider in the UK and Ireland—not that we’re bragging!
Our customers are companies that take pride in offering quality refreshments to their employees and clients.
Our success is built on outstanding customer service, hard work, and a strong team culture.
We believe in delivering WOW experiences to both our customers and our valued employees.
We are proud to be Great Place to Work® certified, a testament to our dedication to fostering a culture of support, growth and development, as well as promoting well-being, and winning together.
With our core company values—passion, thoughtfulness, responsiveness, innovation, and smart working—at the very heart of our business, we are committed to cultivating an environment that inspires excellence.
We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Senior Buyer to join our Procurement team.
This is an exciting opportunity for a procurement professional who thrives on building strong supplier partnerships, driving commercial value, and influencing business performance through strategic purchasing decisions.
This position will be an 18 month maternity cover contract.
Responsibilities
As Senior Buyer, you will take ownership of key product categories, working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver cost efficiencies, manage risk, improve service levels, and support business growth.
You’ll play a key role in shaping procurement strategy while helping to develop supplier performance and strengthen our overall supply chain.
- Managing the commercial and purchasing performance of assigned product categories.
- Developing and implementing category strategies focused on cost, quality, service, and risk management.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers.
- Leading supplier negotiations and performance reviews to deliver continuous improvement.
- Identifying opportunities for cost savings, value enhancement, and operational efficiencies.
- Monitoring market trends and supply chain risks, providing insights to support business decisions.
- Supporting ESG and sustainability initiatives within the supply chain, including ethical sourcing and compliance requirements.
- Ensuring supplier data, pricing, and product information are accurately maintained within ERP systems.
- Collaborating with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Technical teams to support business objectives and new product development projects.
- Managing escalated supplier issues and implementing effective solutions.
- Mentoring and supporting Buyers and Junior Buyers within the team.
Requirements
- 3-5 years’ experience within a procurement, purchasing, or supply chain role.
- Strong knowledge of category management, supplier relationship management, and strategic sourcing.
- Proven experience negotiating with suppliers and delivering commercial improvements.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to analyse data and identify opportunities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working with ERP systems and procurement data.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational priorities.
- A proactive, solution-focused approach with excellent organisational skills.
Being a part of Liquidline is more than just a job – it’s a chance to grow, develop and thrive!
We are deeply invested in the success of our team and our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support, and reward our employees.
The package includes, but is not limited too
- 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays: Extra time off to rest and recharge.
- Long Service Annual Leave Entitlement & Buy/Sell Scheme: More flexibility for your time off needs.
- Candidate Referral Program: Help grow our team and earn rewards
- Company Bonus Scheme: Celebrate success with us.
- Enhanced Sick Pay: Supporting you when you need it most
- Enhanced Parental Leave: Comprehensive support for your family journey
- Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme: Save for your future with ease.
- Life Assurance & Income Protection (UK Only): Peace of mind for you.
- HSF Health Plan: Access affordable healthcare.
- Yu
Life Wellbeing Platform: One stop shop for wellbeing, rewards and support.
- Employee Assistance Programme: Mental health support, virtual GP services and more.
- Lunch on Liquidline & Bi-Annual Conferences: Enjoy lunch on Liquidline, and Bi Annual company conferences.
Liquidline is a fast-growing, family owned business that has expanded from 92 to over 300 employees since 2020.
With ambitious plans for the next five years, there’s never been a better time to join us!
Our dynamic and innovative environment offers endless opportunities for personal and professional growth.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer, treating everyone with fairness, respect and appreciation.
At Liquidline, we embrace diversity and value the unique experiences and perspectives of every individual.
Together, we are always Winning Together!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Buyer in Ipswich employer: Liquidline
Liquidline is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for a Strategic Business Development Manager in the Hotel & Leisure sector. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to expand their skills and take on new challenges, all while enjoying the benefits of being part of a family-owned business that values its people and promotes a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer in Ipswich
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Liquidline that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Liquidline can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Liquidline that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Liquidline know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Liquidline
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
