At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier engagement for high-value technical projects.
- Company: Join AMS, a global leader in workforce solutions, supporting Rolls-Royce.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in procurement while working on cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement with a focus on strategic sourcing and risk management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
AMS is a global workforce solutions partner committed to creating inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready workplaces. We help organisations adapt, grow, and thrive in an ever-evolving world by building, shaping, and optimising diverse talent strategies. Our Contingent Workforce Solution (CWS) supports Rolls-Royce by connecting them with skilled interim and temporary professionals, fostering workplaces where everyone can contribute and succeed.
On behalf of Rolls-Royce, who develop cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions to meet the planet's vital power needs, we are looking for a Buyer for a 12 month contract based in Bristol. This role is a hybrid position in which you would be required to be office based 3 days per week and working from home 2 days per week (37 hours per week).
Purpose of the Senior Strategic Buyer role:
- Support the development and execution of integrated category strategies within Group Procurement, focusing on complex indirect engineering spend.
- Lead strategic sourcing, supplier engagement, and risk mitigation to ensure continuity of supply, performance, and capability delivery.
- Act as a key procurement partner across high-value technical projects, driving commercially sound and compliant purchasing decisions.
As a Senior Strategic Buyer, you will:
- Execute category strategies through end-to-end strategic sourcing, supplier selection, contracting, and in-contract supplier management.
- Lead procurement activity across complex indirect categories, including test beds, facilities, and capability development projects.
- Analyse and mitigate supply chain risks, identifying gaps and working cross-functionally to secure funding and solutions.
- Collaborate with engineering and project teams on high-specification procurement initiatives with strong technical input.
- Ensure all procurement activity aligns with governance, regulatory, and export control requirements.
- Support strategic procurement initiatives, focusing on how purchasing is executed rather than transactional buying.
- Travel within the UK to engage with internal stakeholders and suppliers as required.
The skills you'll need as a Senior Strategic Buyer:
- Proven experience in procurement and sourcing, with a strong focus on strategic procurement, negotiation and in-contract management.
- Background in technical or engineering environments (e.g. defence, aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, or other high-spec industries).
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance technical and business requirements.
- Experience analysing and mitigating supply chain risks within complex projects.
- Strong stakeholder management and the ability to work across multidisciplinary, global teams.
- Familiarity with procurement and supply chain processes, systems, and governance frameworks.
Next steps:
We will only accept workers operating via an Umbrella or PAYE engagement model. If you are interested in applying for this Senior Strategic Buyer position and meet the criteria outlined above, please click the link to apply and we will contact you with an update in due course.
Senior Strategic Buyer in London employer: Rolls-Royce CWS
At AMS, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Inchinnan where skilled Welders can thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive training programmes and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies at Rolls-Royce, ensuring that you are part of a team that values quality and safety. With a focus on maintaining a supportive culture and flexible shift patterns, we empower our employees to excel in their roles while contributing to innovative solutions for the planet's power needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Buyer in 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 Strategic Buyer in 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 Rolls-Royce CWS 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, Rolls-Royce CWS 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 Rolls-Royce CWS 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 Rolls-Royce CWS 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 Rolls-Royce CWS
✨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.
