At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with teams to develop strategies for tech procurement and negotiate supplier contracts.
- Company: Join OVO, a mission-driven company tackling the climate crisis.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, generous holiday, and flexible pay options.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-paced team making a real impact in technology procurement.
- Qualifications: MCIPS level 4 or working towards it, with strong relationship management skills.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
The predicted salary is between 32670 - 47041 ÂŁ per year.
Role Overview
- Team: Procurement
- Salary banding: ÂŁ32,670 - ÂŁ47,041
- Contract type: 9 Month Fixed Term Contract
- Experience: Learner/Mid-level
- Working pattern: Full‑Time
- Reporting to: Senior Category Manager, Technology
- Sponsorship: Not offered
This role in 3 words: Fast‑paced, evolving, rewarding
Top 3 qualities: Analytical, strategic, adaptable
Where you’ll work
Depending on the needs of your business area, we expect hub‑based people to be in the office at least once a week and to attend OVO Connection events in‑person. You’ll be assigned to the closest one of our three hub offices – Bristol, Glasgow or London.
Our purpose
At OVO, we are on a mission to solve one of humanity's biggest challenges – the climate crisis. We need diverse people from all backgrounds to join us.
Key responsibilities
- Business partnering with operational stakeholders (e.g. Heads of Departments and Managers)
- Contributing to the development of category strategies for Software, Hardware, Professional Services, Data Services, and Networks & Telco
- Monitoring the pipeline of activity for assigned sourcing activity & negotiating low‑to‑medium value supplier contracts
- Liaising with supporting functions such as Legal and Finance, ensuring relevant budgets and legal terms are in place
- Gathering and manipulating relevant data to build and keep updated a clear view of category spend and suppliers
- Contributing to savings strategies and opportunity analysis
- Educating OVO stakeholders on procurement policy and process
- Maintaining procurement systems used for contract management and e‑sourcing
- Supporting implementation of new procurement systems and processes
- Supporting OVO’s Plan Zero objectives
- Other ad hoc tasks as required
First 3 months
- Have commenced category strategies focusing on Data and Networks & Telco
- Maintain and report against a pipeline of savings
- Be known within your business area and by key collaborators as their procurement point of contact
- Be familiar with OVO Procurement’s savings rationale and commercial levers
Qualifications & Success Factors
- MCIPS level 4 qualified (or working towards this) with proven experience in a similar role (desired)
- Quick to pick up new processes, systems and ways of working
- Strong relationship‑management skills, building trust with stakeholders and suppliers
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Willingness to learn and coachable
- Basic negotiation skills
- Ability to prioritise workloads balancing importance and urgency while managing stakeholder expectations
- Good presentation and communication skills
- Ability to apply skills beyond traditional procurement to commercial issues
- IT literate (knowledge of procurement systems desirable)
- Delivery‑focused self‑starter, team‑oriented, pragmatic
- Foundational understanding of category‑management practices
- Exposure to energy and technology businesses (desirable)
Benefits and Compensation
- Salary: £32,670 – £47,041 (dependent on skills and experience)
- On‑target bonus: 15%
- Flex Pay: 9 % (4 % auto‑enrolled into pension, 5 % free for personal use)
- 34 days holiday including
Senior Buyer - Technology & Indirects - 9 Month FTC in London employer: OVO
Contact Detail:
OVO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Technology & Indirects - 9 Month FTC in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission, especially around sustainability, and think about how your skills can contribute to their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence before the real deal.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining OVO and being part of our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Technology & Indirects - 9 Month FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Buyer. Highlight your analytical and strategic skills, and don’t forget to mention any experience with technology and indirect procurement. We want to see how you can adapt your experience to fit our fast-paced environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about procurement and how your background aligns with our mission at OVO. Be sure to mention your relationship-management skills and any relevant achievements that showcase your adaptability.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, focus on your previous roles that relate to category management and supplier negotiations. We love seeing examples of how you've contributed to savings strategies or improved processes in past positions. Make it clear how you can bring that expertise to our team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at OVO
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on key metrics related to procurement and category management. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive savings or improve supplier relationships in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples that highlight your strategic thinking. Think about times when you contributed to category strategies or negotiated contracts. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Relationship management is crucial in this role. Before the interview, research the company’s culture and values. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve built trust with stakeholders in the past and how you plan to do so at OVO.
✨Be Adaptable and Open to Learning
This role is described as fast-paced and evolving, so show that you're adaptable. Share experiences where you had to quickly learn new processes or systems. Highlight your willingness to learn and how you can contribute to OVO's Plan Zero objectives.