At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage sourcing activities and supplier relationships in technology procurement.
- Company: Join ASDA, a leading retail giant with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, bonuses, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with exposure to senior leaders and diverse projects.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative procurement team driving real business impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or category management, especially in technology.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Join ASDA's Procurement Transformation Journey. Procurement is playing a key strategic role in driving growth, delivering value, and influencing commercial decisions across ASDA. As part of our continued investment in Procurement, we're looking for a Category Buyer Technology. This is an excellent opportunity for a category buyer or a procurement specialist looking to take ownership of a diverse portfolio, partnering with senior stakeholders to drive value, innovation and business outcomes within a complex, fast-paced retail environment.
As a Category Buyer - Technology you will be involved in:
- Category Support: You'll support the delivery of sourcing activities across Technology Procurement categories, helping to implement category plans and identify opportunities to deliver value, reduce costs, and improve supplier performance.
- Sourcing & Contracting: You'll manage end-to-end sourcing projects of varying complexity, supporting stakeholder requirements, running competitive procurement processes, negotiating commercial terms, and assisting with contract management activities.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Working closely with Technology teams and business stakeholders, you'll help understand requirements, provide commercial guidance, and ensure procurement processes are followed effectively.
- Supplier Management: You'll support the management of supplier relationships, helping to monitor supplier performance, identify risks, and drive continuous improvement across key technology suppliers.
- Cost & Value Delivery: You'll contribute to cost transformation and cash initiatives by identifying savings opportunities, analysing spend data, and supporting procurement projects that deliver measurable business value.
- Procurement Excellence: You'll help embed procurement best practice, maintain governance standards, and support the ongoing development of procurement processes, tools, and systems.
Your Responsibilities:
- Manage end-to-end sourcing activities across technology procurement categories.
- Support the development and execution of category plans and sourcing strategies.
- Build effective relationships with technology and business stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver commercial outcomes.
- Lead supplier negotiations and support the creation and management of contracts and commercial agreements.
- Analyse spend and supplier data to identify savings, efficiency, and value opportunities.
- Support supplier performance management and risk mitigation activities.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, processes, and governance requirements.
- Contribute to procurement transformation initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
The Successful Applicant:
- Experience in Procurement, Purchasing, or Category Management, ideally within Technology categories such as Software, SaaS, Professional Services, Telecommunications, or Managed Services.
- Experience supporting or delivering sourcing and contract negotiation activities.
- Strong commercial awareness and analytical skills.
- Comfortable working with stakeholders across multiple business functions.
- Experience reviewing, negotiating, and managing supplier contracts.
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple procurement projects simultaneously.
- Proactive self-starter with strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Why ASDA?
This is a unique opportunity to join a Procurement function undergoing significant investment and transformation, where Procurement is increasingly recognised as a key driver of business performance. You'll benefit from:
- Opportunity to learn and be developed.
- Exposure to senior leaders across functions.
- The opportunity to influence business decisions and transformation programmes.
- A collaborative, fast-paced retail environment where no two days are the same.
- Clear opportunities for career development within an evolving Procurement function.
- Hybrid working, competitive salary, bonus and excellent benefits.
If you're a Senior Buyer or procurement professional with indirect category management experience and a passion for Technology Services Procurement, we'd love to hear from you. Join ASDA and help shape the future of Procurement Department.
Category Buyer - Technology Procurement in Leeds employer: Michael Page International
Michael Page is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds that fosters professional growth and development. With a strong focus on mentoring and team collaboration, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements and a competitive salary package, including performance-based bonuses. Joining this multinational organisation means being part of a high-growth team dedicated to delivering exceptional tax compliance services across diverse sectors.
Contact Details:
Michael Page International Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer - Technology Procurement in Leeds
✨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 Michael Page International.
✨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 Category Buyer - Technology Procurement in Leeds
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 Michael Page International:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Michael Page International. 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 Michael Page International.
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page International
✨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 Michael Page International!
✨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 Michael Page International. 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 Michael Page International's culture.
