Senior Buyer in Derby

Are you a strategic, commercially sharp procurement professional ready to take ownership of high impact software and technology categories? At Microlise, we are looking for a Senior Strategic Buyer who thrives on autonomy, enjoys solving complex challenges, and wants to play a key role in a growing, innovative organisation. If you are already operating confidently at a senior level, particularly across software, SaaS, and indirect procurement, this is an opportunity to step into a role with genuine influence, visibility, and strategic impact.

Why this role? You will shape category strategies, deliver measurable savings, and partner closely with teams across IT, Product, Engineering, Finance, and Legal. This isn't just another procurement job; it's a role designed for someone who wants to make a tangible difference while continuing to grow their career. You will also have opportunities to support and mentor others across the function.

What you will be doing:

• Lead the sourcing, negotiation, and contract management of indirect, software, SaaS, and IT service categories.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with organisational goals around cost optimisation, risk mitigation, and technology enablement.
• Analyse spend, market trends, and vendor landscapes to identify savings opportunities and procurement efficiencies.
• Deliver measurable cost savings through strategic negotiation, supplier consolidation, and demand management.
• Implement total cost of ownership (TCO) methodologies to ensure long term value.
• Assess and manage supplier related risks, including commercial, operational, cyber security, data privacy, and regulatory compliance risks.
• Work closely with Legal, InfoSec, and Risk teams to ensure contracts and supplier engagements satisfy corporate standards.
• Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key software and technology suppliers.
• Lead supplier business reviews, performance assessments, and supplier development initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation through collaborative supplier engagement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business units, providing guidance on sourcing options, commercial terms, and supplier capabilities.
• Partner cross functionally with IT, Engineering, Product, Legal, and Finance to support technology driven initiatives.
• Communicate procurement strategies, market insights, and recommendations clearly and effectively to senior leaders.
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, contract governance, and approval workflows.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of procurement processes, tools, and ways of working across the function.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience as a Buyer or Senior Buyer managing indirect spend categories within a complex commercial environment.
• Strong track record of delivering cost savings, optimising spend, and negotiating high value agreements.
• Strong understanding of commercial agreements, supplier management, and procurement best practices within a technology-led environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage supplier risk across commercial, operational, and compliance dimensions.
• Strong influencing, negotiation and communication skills with a proven track record of effective cost management and cost savings delivery.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and relationship building skills.
• Strong analytical and commercial mindset with proficiency in data driven decision making.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, high growth environment while managing competing priorities.
• CIPS qualified or willing to work towards.
• Proficient in using business systems and technology to analyse data, manage information, and support procurement processes.
• Confident outlook and a positive attitude to deliver departmental targets.
• Able to deputise for the procurement manager if required.

Why Microlise? Our solutions deliver value to many of the UK's leading grocery retailers and food logistics providers as well as to household names including JCB, Eddie Stobart, Carlsberg, Waitrose and Tesco. Proudly Midlands-based, Microlise has been operating for over thirty years, and recently became a Publicly Listed Company with shares trading on the London Stock Exchange. Our growing business is guided by our culture which drives the way we behave, the way we work, the way we connect with our customers, and the way we support and develop our people.

Full support and training to ensure you are well equipped to succeed in your role. Private medical insurance with Vitality Health including rewards for members such as: Free Amazon Prime, Apple Watch, discounted gym membership and many more. 33 days holiday, including bank holidays, increasing year on year to 38 days, then further increases with length of service. Life Assurance, 4 times your annual salary. Free Costco membership, 20% off EE mobile and line rental, and other discounts with Reward Gateway. Invested in employee health and well-being with over 20 mental health first aiders in the business. Employee Assistance Programmes. Great staff extras: Easter eggs, yearly BBQ, Christmas gifts, annual staff awards and many more incentives. Free Microlise Cresswell Racing Tickets, support British Superbikes. Great Place to Work certified.

Recruitment Process: For successful candidates, interviews will take place whilst the advert is still live; so don't delay getting your application in!

Recruitment Agencies: Whilst we make every effort to directly source candidates for our live roles, we do have a very small preferred supplier list on the occasion we may require additional support. We therefore do not accept speculative CVs and/or cold calls to our Recruitment Team or Hiring Managers.