At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and develop category strategies in Mechanical and Electrical procurement.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on ethical and sustainable sourcing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact by driving cost savings and supplier performance in a key role.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying, strong negotiation skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with cross-functional teams and grow your career.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We're looking for a proactive and collaborative Senior Buyer to support our Category Manager and Procurement Business Partners in the Mechanical and Electrical category. In this role, you'll help develop and deliver category strategies, lead sourcing and ensure best-in-class supplier performance across your category areas.
You won't have direct reports, but you'll often work within cross-functional teams and take the lead on key workstreams.
Main Responsibilities:- Work closely within the M&E category to purchase all required materials and products to support the development and delivery of category strategies.
- Gather spend, volume and service data to prepare for eRFx and eAuctions including supplier selection, negotiation and contracting.
- Track market trends and industry insights to support risk management and forward planning.
- Identify and deliver cost savings, cost reductions and value-for-money initiatives.
- Build strong relationships with Procurement Business Partners and key stakeholders to understand business needs and drive compliance to category strategy.
- Collect and analyse supplier performance data to support the Supplier Management Framework (SMF).
- Maintain SMF scorecards and follow up on supplier corrective actions.
- Support ethical and sustainable sourcing initiatives including ESG, VCSE and modern slavery commitments.
- Support rollout and performance tracking of the Coupa P2P process.
- An experienced Buyer or Purchaser ideally within Hard Services, though the category background is trainable.
- Ability to work on a varied workload with different sizes of financial values and understand the commercials of procurement.
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrable category management and negotiation skills.
- Competent with Microsoft Office and P2P systems.
- MCIPS qualification (or working towards it).
Senior Buyer in Birmingham employer: Mitie
Contact Detail:
Mitie Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Senior Buyer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in the Mechanical and Electrical category. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Buyer, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills before your interviews.
✨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 are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement, category management, and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your skills fit perfectly with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the ideal candidate. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of the Mechanical and Electrical category – we love a good connection!
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, be sure to showcase your negotiation skills and experience with supplier performance data. We’re keen on seeing how you’ve delivered cost savings and built strong relationships in previous roles. Let us know how you can bring that expertise to our team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitie
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Mechanical and Electrical category. Familiarise yourself with current market trends, key suppliers, and recent innovations. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you engage in meaningful discussions about category strategies.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of past negotiations where you achieved significant cost savings or improved supplier performance. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes, as this will demonstrate your capability in handling the responsibilities of a Senior Buyer.
✨Build Relationships on Paper
Think about how you can illustrate your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your interpersonal skills and how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams in previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Ethical Sourcing Questions
Given the emphasis on ethical and sustainable sourcing, brush up on relevant initiatives and frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how you would support these initiatives and any experience you have in implementing them in your previous roles.