Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sustainable purchasing decisions in technology, from software to hardware.
- Company: Join OVO, a forward-thinking company tackling climate challenges.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days holiday, healthcare, gym membership, and more perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to make a positive impact on the planet.
- Qualifications: MCIPS level 4 qualified or working towards it, with 3 years experience preferred.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 32670 - 47041 £ per year.
Overview
Senior Buyer – Technology role at OVO.
Role OVO-View
Team: Procurement
Salary banding: £32,670 – £47,041
Contract type: OVO
Experience: Learner
Working pattern: Full-Time
Reporting to: John Hawkins, Senior Category Manager, Technology
Sponsorship: Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
This role in 3 words: Fast-paced, evolving, rewarding
Top 3 qualities for this role: 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 go to OVO Connection events in-person. All our roles are hub based, providing a dedicated space for collaboration, connection and teamwork. You’ll also have the flexibility to work from home.
Role purpose and alignment
We are looking to hire a Senior Buyer into the Procurement team to support delivery of Plan Zero across the Technology category; driving the best outcome for the planet when considering how we purchase software, hardware, services, hosting and more.
Responsibilities and key outcomes
- Business partnering with operational stakeholders (e.g. Heads of Departments and Managers).
- Contributing to the development of various category strategies (including Software, Hardware, Professional Services, Data Services and Networks & Telco).
- Negotiating low-medium value supplier contracts.
- Gathering and manipulating relevant data to build and maintain a clear view of category spend and suppliers.
- Contributing to savings strategies and opportunity analysis.
- Liaising with supporting functions such as Legal and Finance, ensuring budgets and legal terms are in place.
- Educating OVO stakeholders on the procurement policy and process.
- Maintaining procurement systems used for contract management and eSourcing.
- Supporting the 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 in your business area and by key collaborators as their Procurement point of contact.
- Be familiar with OVO Procurement’s savings rationale and commercial levers.
Systems
We use Google Workplace for our day to day tasks. Training will be provided around specialist sourcing systems.
Your success in this role
- Are MCIPS level 4 qualified (or working towards this) with at least 3 years experience in a similar role (desirable).
- Are able to pick up new processes, systems and ways of working quickly and effectively.
- Have good relationship management skills, able to build a trusting relationship both internally with stakeholders and externally with suppliers.
- Possess great organisational skills and are able to manage multiple tasks at one time.
- Have a willingness to learn in a coachable manner.
- Have basic negotiation skills.
- Are able to effectively prioritise workloads balancing importance and urgency whilst managing stakeholder expectations.
- Possess good presentation and communication skills.
- Are able to apply skills beyond the traditional functions of Procurement and to bring them to bear on a broad range of commercial issues.
- Are IT literate (knowledge of Procurement systems is desirable).
- You should also be a delivery focused self-starter, team-oriented with a collaborative, pragmatic approach.
- Have a foundational understanding of category management practices.
- Have exposure to energy and technology businesses (desirable).
Compensation and benefits
Salary: £32,670 – £47,041, depending on skills and experience.
On-target bonus: 15% (collective performance focus).
Flex pay: 9% Flex Pay on top of salary; 4% auto enrolled into pension; 5% flexible for benefits, pension, or other choices.
Benefits include: 34 days holiday (including bank holidays), healthcare or private medical insurance, dental and other wellbeing benefits, gym membership, travel insurance, index-related benefits, extra holiday buying, discounts, loans, and more. There are also programs to support belonging and inclusion, such as Belonging Networks.
Belonging and inclusion
At OVO, we are on a mission to solve climate challenges and welcome diverse people from all backgrounds. We have 8 Belonging Networks and encourage you to participate.
Seniority level
- Entry level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Purchasing and Supply Chain
- Industries: Utilities and IT Services and IT Consulting
London, England, United Kingdom
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Buyer - Technology employer: OVO
Contact Detail:
OVO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Technology
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching OVO and its procurement strategies. Understand their Plan Zero objectives and think about how your skills can contribute. This shows you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in making an impact!
✨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 use online resources to sharpen those skills before your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the OVO team and ready to dive into the procurement world.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Technology
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your analytical and strategic skills, and don’t forget to mention any relevant experience in procurement or technology. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about procurement and how your adaptability will help us drive Plan Zero. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase any experience you have with supplier negotiations or category management. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you've done before!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll get all the info you need about the role and our company culture. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at OVO
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Buyer, you'll need to be analytical. Brush up on your data manipulation skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive procurement decisions in the past. Prepare some examples of how you’ve contributed to savings strategies or analysed category spend.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiating contracts is key in this role. Think of specific instances where you successfully negotiated terms with suppliers. Be prepared to discuss your approach and any challenges you faced, as well as how you overcame them.
✨Understand OVO's Mission
OVO is focused on sustainability and their Plan Zero objectives. Familiarise yourself with their mission and think about how your role as a Senior Buyer can contribute to these goals. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in the company's values.
✨Build Relationships
Relationship management is crucial for this position. Prepare to talk about how you've built trust with stakeholders and suppliers in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and adaptability, as these will be essential in collaborating with various teams at OVO.
