At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement for medical products and optimise supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Mediq, a top healthcare distributor improving patient care across 13 countries.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, life assurance, pension scheme, and more.
- Other info: Be part of a team dedicated to enhancing healthcare outcomes and driving innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, preferably in healthcare or life sciences.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 € per year.
Mediq is the UK’s leading value-added distributor of medical products, providing healthcare professionals and institutions with essential supplies, expert knowledge, and tailored solutions to enhance patient care. Mediq is an international healthcare company with leading market positions in 13 countries. Headquartered just outside Utrecht, the Netherlands, we employ more than 2,500 people, all dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes and making care more accessible and affordable. As a critical growth and investment market for the Mediq Group, Mediq UK plays a key role in the company’s long‑term expansion strategy.
Salary: £50,000
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Procurement & Category Management: Lead sourcing activities for medical devices, consumables, pharmaceuticals, and associated services aligned with sales forecasts, inventory targets, and business growth plans. Develop and execute category sourcing strategies that support commercial objectives, supply security, and profitability improvement. Identify opportunities to optimize supplier portfolios, rationalize SKUs, and consolidate spend to maximize value and efficiency. Lead supplier selection, RFQs, tendering processes, and commercial negotiations to achieve best total cost of ownership while maintaining quality and compliance. Support and execute strategic sourcing initiatives aligned with global and cluster sourcing objectives. Drive new product introduction activities in collaboration with commercial and operational stakeholders.
- Supplier Relationship & Performance Management: Build, develop, and manage strategic supplier relationships, acting as the primary commercial contact for key suppliers. Lead supplier business reviews, performance evaluations, and improvement initiatives. Monitor and manage supplier KPIs including OTIF, quality performance, service levels, lead times, pricing compliance, and contractual commitments. Proactively manage supply risks, shortages, escalations, and business continuity challenges. Identify and drive supplier innovation, value engineering, and margin enhancement opportunities.
- Stakeholder Management & Business Partnership: Partner closely with Sales, Clinical, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Logistics teams to align sourcing strategies with operational and commercial priorities. Provide procurement expertise and market insights to support strategic decision‑making. Influence stakeholders to drive compliance, standardisation, and sourcing best practices across the organisation. Support integration of acquired businesses into the sourcing framework as part of ongoing M&A activities.
- Compliance & Governance: Ensure all procurement activities comply with relevant UK healthcare regulations and internal governance standards, including MHRA requirements, ISO standards (including ISO 13485 where applicable), NHS Supply Chain and private healthcare procurement frameworks, and ethical sourcing and sustainability policies. Ensure robust contract management, supplier documentation, and audit readiness. Support internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance reviews.
- Financial Performance & Reporting: Manage category spend and deliver against annual savings, margin improvement, and working capital targets. Identify and implement cost optimisation opportunities while protecting service and quality. Analyse spend data, market trends, and supplier performance to support strategic decisions. Maintain accurate procurement data within ERP and procurement systems. Produce regular reports on spend, supplier performance, savings delivery, and risk management.
- Leadership & Continuous Improvement: Act as a mentor and subject matter expert for buyers and cross‑functional colleagues. Support development and implementation of sourcing processes, tools, and best practices. Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement, supply chain, and supplier collaboration.
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a Senior Buyer, Buyer, Strategic Sourcing, or Procurement role, ideally within medical devices, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Life Sciences, or related field preferred.
- Demonstrated success in supplier negotiation, contract management, and delivering measurable commercial value.
- Strong category management and strategic sourcing experience.
- Experience working with ERP/procurement systems (e.g. SAGE, IFS, Outlook, TEAMs).
- Strong analytical, commercial, and financial acumen.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, matrix organisation.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- 4× Life Assurance
- Pension scheme
- Sick Pay
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
Senior Buyer - Maternity Cover employer: Mediq UK
Mediq is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises employee growth and development within the healthcare sector. With a strong commitment to improving patient care, employees benefit from a collaborative culture, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits including 25 days of holiday, a pension scheme, and opportunities for continuous improvement and mentorship. Located just outside Utrecht, Mediq UK plays a pivotal role in the company's international expansion, making it an exciting place for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in healthcare procurement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Maternity Cover
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare and procurement sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Mediq and its market position. Understand their products and services, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills! Be ready to discuss past experiences where you’ve successfully managed supplier relationships or driven cost savings. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact and value.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Maternity Cover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your experience in strategic sourcing and supplier management, as these are key for us at Mediq. Use specific examples that showcase your achievements in procurement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for healthcare procurement and how your skills align with our mission to improve patient care. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, emphasise your experience in the medical devices or pharmaceuticals sector. We want to see how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven cost savings in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mediq UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and the healthcare market. Familiarise yourself with Mediq's products and services, as well as their competitors. This will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared for the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you've achieved significant savings or improved supplier relationships. Be ready to discuss your approach to supplier selection and how you ensure compliance with regulations. This is crucial for a Senior Buyer position.
✨Understand Stakeholder Dynamics
Think about how you would partner with different teams like Sales, Clinical, and Supply Chain. Prepare to discuss how you would align sourcing strategies with their needs and influence them towards best practices. This shows you can work collaboratively in a matrix organisation.
✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions
Since compliance is key in this role, be prepared to talk about your experience with UK healthcare regulations and standards like MHRA and ISO. Highlight any past experiences where you ensured compliance in procurement activities, as this will demonstrate your attention to detail and governance.
