At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and negotiation for software and IT services, driving cost savings and innovation.
- Company: Join Microlise, a tech leader transforming logistics with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical insurance, and exciting staff perks.
- Other info: Be part of a certified Great Place to Work with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a commercial mindset.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a seasoned Senior Buyer looking for your next big opportunity to lead, influence, and deliver commercial impact? At Microlise, we are searching for someone who is already operating confidently at a strategic level. Someone who is an expert in tech, SaaS, and indirect procurement who is ready to step into a role with real ownership. This is your chance to shape category strategy, drive measurable savings, and work at the heart of a business investing heavily in innovation and continuous improvement.
You will thrive here if you love autonomy, excel at building strong stakeholder relationships, and enjoy turning complex procurement challenges into tangible wins. With exposure across IT, Product, Engineering, Finance, and Legal, plus the opportunity to support and mentor others, this role offers genuine progression. Not a step up, but a step forward. If you are ambitious, commercially sharp, and excited to make a visible difference, we want to hear from you.
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 improvement of procurement processes and systems (e.g., contract lifecycle management, vendor onboarding).
What we are looking for:
- Proven experience as a Buyer/Senior Buyer within the indirect arena, software, SaaS, or technology centric organisation.
- Strong track record of delivering cost savings, optimising spend, and negotiating high value agreements.
- Deep understanding of indirect service agreements, software licensing models, cloud/SaaS contracts, and IT procurement practices.
- 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.
- Good working knowledge of IT packages including Microsoft and ERP systems.
- Confident outlook and a positive attitude to deliver departmental targets.
- Able to deputise for the procurement manager if required.
Why Microlise?
When your groceries arrive at your door or you sign for your online parcel, one or more of our software, telematics or proof-of-purchase solutions has probably been used. 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 Executive Box at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. Great Place to Work certified. We have been recognised by the global authority on workplace culture, so come be a part of our success. Best Workplace in the UK for Development, Technology, Wellbeing and Women.
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.
Senior Buyer in Nottingham employer: Microlise
Microlise is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a supportive work culture where continuous learning is encouraged. With flexible working hours, a commitment to work/life balance, and a range of benefits including private medical insurance and an EV Car Scheme, employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Join a talented team in the Midlands, where your contributions will directly impact leading retailers and logistics providers across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer in Nottingham
✨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 Microlise.
✨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 Senior Buyer in Nottingham
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 Microlise:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Microlise. 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 Microlise.
How to prepare for a job interview at Microlise
✨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 Microlise!
✨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 Microlise. 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 Microlise's culture.
