At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the full procurement lifecycle and drive cost savings in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a global leader in technology and communications infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting chance to work with innovative teams and develop your career.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on large-scale projects in a collaborative setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within IT and communications sectors is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: London (Hybrid – 3 Days Office / 2 Days Home)
Industry: IT & Communications
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000
Are you an experienced, driven procurement professional with a background in IT and communications? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can manage the full procurement lifecycle and drive tangible cost savings? Procurement People is currently representing a global leader in technology and communications infrastructure. We are looking for a Senior Buyer to join their team on a 15-month fixed-term contract to manage end-to-end purchasing, supplier performance, and stakeholder engagement.
The Role
As a Senior Buyer, you will be responsible for the entire purchasing process, ensuring that materials and services are sourced cost-effectively and delivered on time to meet operational requirements. This is a highly visible role requiring strong commercial awareness and the ability to build robust relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Full Procurement Cycle: Manage the end-to-end process from requisition through to delivery, including the accurate raising and approval of Purchase Orders (POs).
- Sourcing & Tendering: Lead RFQs and RFPs, conducting commercial evaluations to identify the best value, quality, and service offerings.
- Supplier Negotiation: Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and contractual agreements to achieve cost savings.
- Delivery & Performance: Track supplier deliveries, resolve shortages or quality issues, and conduct regular performance reviews based on KPIs.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a strategic partner to operations, finance, and project teams to ensure procurement activities align with business needs.
- Market Intelligence: Maintain awareness of market trends and supply chain risks to inform procurement strategies.
What We’re Looking For:
- Experience: Proven background in procurement and purchasing, specifically within the IT and Communications sectors.
- Systems Knowledge: Strong experience with ERP systems; knowledge of NetSuite or INTACT is highly desirable.
- Negotiation Skills: Excellent commercial negotiation skills with a track record of achieving cost savings.
- Analytical Ability: Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
- Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Attitude: A positive, “can-do” approach with high levels of energy and professionalism.
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a premier organization at the forefront of the communications industry. You will work in a collaborative, global environment that values innovation and offers the chance to make a significant impact on large-scale projects.
To Apply: If you are a proactive Buyer ready for a new challenge, please submit your CV to Garry Byfield at Procurement People for a confidential discussion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer in City of London
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Procurement People that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Procurement People can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Procurement People that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Procurement People know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Procurement People
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
