Senior Buyer - Soft FM

Flexible - Attached to Hook, Solihull or London

Full Time, Permanent

Band 4 / £46,000 - £63,000 per annum (based on experience)

Here at Serco, we’re looking for a highly capable and motivated Senior Buyer to help drive smarter sourcing, deliver greater value, and build stronger supplier partnerships across our Soft FM category. This is a diverse and operational role, working across all business units and taking ownership of the sourcing pipeline. You’ll lead complex procurement projects, manage contracts, and work closely with stakeholders to deliver sustainable commercial outcomes. As a key player in the team, you’ll need to be commercially aware, confident in prioritising competing demands, and skilled at building strong stakeholder relationships. This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact in a high-profile category and contribute to procurement outcomes that support Serco’s strategic objectives.

As part of this you’ll:

• Plan and manage delivery of procurement projects (>£250k) ensuring compliance to Sourcing & Category Management processes and governance
• Support Category Managers in the delivery of complex procurement projects (>£1m)
• Direct, oversee and support Buyers in the delivery of procurement projects
• Review and analyse business purchase needs to determine the best procurement strategy to meet requirements in line with any relevant category strategies
• Engage and manage selected key suppliers in collaboration with key stakeholders across business units
• Optimise value delivery, performance improvement and risk mitigation from supply base
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and procurement category managers to capture business requirements, develop effective sourcing strategies, run RFPs and successfully negotiate contracts for the supply of goods and services
• Lead delivery of sourcing and continuous improvement projects that result in required business outcomes, robust contracts and improved value for money

What you’ll need to do the role:

• CIPS qualified or working towards CIPS qualification (Serco will support this)
• At least 4 years of experience in sourcing or buying role.
• Working knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing and contract management
• Familiarity with eSourcing systems to run sourcing events (preferable)
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Enthusiastic and quick learner with an aspiration to build a career in Procurement
• Resilience with the ability to remain calm under pressure

Why Serco:

• Meaningful and vital work: In this position, your work is vital to the business, in terms of decisions and growth. You will gain a world of opportunity working for a globally operating business delivering essential services across 5 vital sectors, personal growth, achievement and development won’t be hard to find.
• You’ll also work with great people. You’ll find yourself working in a highly motivated, supportive environment where no two days are the same, with experienced colleagues who strive for excellence.

What we offer:

• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Growth and development opportunities – Serco will support with a range of qualifications including CIPS
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Thrive App, Simply Health Plans and more
• Access to a huge range of discounts and exclusive deals such as Merlin Attractions, Mobile Phone discounts, Cinema discounts, Leisure and Hospitality discounts
• Committed to professional and personal development with a wide range of training and coaching opportunities to expand your capabilities
• Up to 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase more
• Life assurance

About Serco

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Apply

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.

For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.