At a Glance
- Tasks: Support procurement projects and build strong relationships with stakeholders to deliver value.
- Company: Join Orbit, a leading housing group dedicated to affordable living.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and wellbeing programmes for you and your loved ones.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in communities while growing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills are essential.
We’re building thriving communities as one of the UK’s largest housing groups and a leading developer of affordable housing. We believe everyone is entitled to a good home they can afford, in a place they are proud to live. More than 100,000 people live in our homes. If you want to experience work that’s truly rewarding, join us. Because when we achieve together, customers and communities thrive. Work for Orbit. Believe in people.
Orbit are delighted to be recruiting an additional Procurement Business Partner to join the team in delivering key projects for the organisation, with a wealth of experience within public sector procurement. As a Procurement Business Partner, you will obtain competitive prices for supplies, delivering the most value for money for the organisation throughout the procurement lifecycle, within the applicable legislative framework. You will operate as a dedicated business partner to designated business units. This places the business partner as an interface between procurement and the wider business, working closely with internal stakeholders to bring together purchasing needs, influence behaviours and deliver value to the enterprise. The business partner is recognised as a source of procurement expertise and acts as a change agent in implementing new commercial models and processes. This role is part of Finance, where you'll help us to invest more back into communities and design for strength.
What you'll achieve
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders to support delivery of Procurement objectives and Orbit’s 2030 Strategy.
- Liaise closely with business units in determining their priorities, requirements and challenges.
- Support procurement team in defining and contextualising strategic and category strategies as they apply to business units.
- Work with procurement leadership teams to identify and execute on process improvements, as well as measuring performance.
- Monitor adherence to purchasing policies and procedures to ensure purchasing standards are upheld.
- Lead on tendering and reviewing existing suppliers.
- Align with risk and financial teams to ensure agreed processes are being followed.
- Identify and support the mitigation of supply assurance issues and risks as they apply to business units.
- Coordinate relevant data management activities, defining and implementing stewardship strategies with stakeholders such as internal data teams, finance and IT.
What you'll bring
Essential skills
- Procurement/purchasing experience to a similar level.
- Understanding of Public Procurement policy and Orbit governance processes (PA23 and PCR15).
- Good negotiation skills and very confident in dealing with suppliers and customers.
- CIPS level 4 or 5 working towards next level or equivalent.
- Fosters a healthy team culture and inspires and motivates colleagues to achieve high performance.
- Project Management.
- Procurement process and policy management: Applies, embeds and develops processes designed to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the function.
- Leading others: Fosters a healthy team culture and inspires and motivates colleagues to achieve high performance.
Desirable skills
- Experience of operating in a Social Housing environment, ideally within outsourced property operations’ supply chain.
Why Orbit?
Choosing us means being rewarded in every sense. Here’s what you can expect to enjoy with us:
- A rewarding experience that works for you. We strive to create an inclusive experience with benefits and wellbeing programmes designed to help you, and your loved ones, to thrive. For a better work-life balance, we offer flexible working opportunities for many roles.
- A place to progress. From training programmes to professional qualifications, we provide opportunities to learn and develop at every stage of your career. Whether you’re a student, graduate or experienced professional we’ll support you to grow. For leaders, our tailored development journeys are designed to stretch and strengthen your leadership skills. As well as practical training, we give you access to renowned business schools and experiential programmes for greater breadth and depth of learning.
- A purpose to feel proud of. We’re proud to make a difference to people together. We’re values-driven with a commercial focus on performance - because the more profit we make, the more we can achieve for people. What brings us together is a passionate belief in progress and people.
How we hire
We aim to make our hiring process simple and fair: Online application, Interview(s), Decision and offer. We put the safeguarding of our customers, colleagues and contractors at the heart of everything we do and as such, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check.
Procurement Business Partner employer: Orbit Group
At Orbit, we are dedicated to building thriving communities and providing affordable housing, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful work. Our inclusive culture fosters professional growth through tailored training programmes and flexible working opportunities, ensuring that every employee can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in our mission to make a positive impact, where your contributions directly enhance the lives of over 100,000 residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Orbit and its values. Understand their 2030 Strategy and think about how your skills can help them achieve their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly believes in their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Procurement Business Partner, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to get the best deals. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Orbit team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Procurement Business Partner role. Highlight your relevant experience in public sector procurement and how it aligns with Orbit's mission to deliver value for communities.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your negotiation skills and any experience you have with procurement policies. We want to see how you can bring your expertise to the table and help us achieve our 2030 Strategy.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who not only has the right skills but also fits into our values-driven culture. Share your passion for making a difference!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our careers website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quickly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orbit Group
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your public sector procurement policies, especially PA23 and PCR15. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show that you understand the legislative landscape and can navigate it effectively.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves liaising with various business units, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in the past to achieve procurement objectives.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've negotiated successfully with suppliers or customers. Highlight your approach and the outcomes, as this will showcase your confidence and ability to deliver value for money.
✨Emphasise Your Change Management Experience
As a change agent, you'll need to implement new commercial models and processes. Prepare to talk about times when you've led or contributed to process improvements, and how you measured their success. This will demonstrate your proactive mindset and ability to drive efficiency.
