At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage purchase orders and ensure efficient payment processes in a dynamic housing organisation.
- Company: Established housing organisation with a focus on collaboration and efficiency.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive pay, and a chance to make a difference in social housing.
- Other info: Immediate start available for a 12-week contract with potential for growth.
- Why this job: Join a vital role in procurement and support essential services in the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or purchasing roles, strong attention to detail, and good communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36450 - 44550 £ per year.
Buyer – Housing Location: Hybrid – Ealing or Staines Contract: 12 Weeks Working Pattern: Hybrid Sector: Housing / Social Housing
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Buyer to join an established housing organisation on an initial 12-week contract .
This is an excellent opportunity for a Buyer with strong experience of purchase-to-pay processes, raising purchase orders and managing orders through to invoice payment .
The successful candidate will work closely with internal teams, suppliers, Procurement and Accounts Payable to ensure goods and services are ordered and paid for efficiently and in line with internal procedures.
The Role Working as part of the Procurement function, you will act as a key point of contact between internal requisitioners and suppliers, supporting the organisation with the day-to-day purchasing process.
This is primarily a transactional procurement role , so previous experience of sourcing new suppliers is not essential .
Internal information and approved supplier arrangements will be available, although knowledge of suitable suppliers and previous experience within a housing environment would be advantageous.
Key Responsibilities
- Receive requisitions from internal business areas and convert these into compliant purchase orders.
- Raise and process purchase orders through the organisation's Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) system .
- Submit purchase orders to suppliers and manage orders through to completion and payment.
- Act as the first point of contact for suppliers and internal requisitioners regarding purchase orders, deliveries and payment queries.
- Liaise with internal teams to confirm requirements and resolve any issues relating to requisitions or orders.
- Work closely with Accounts Payable to ensure invoices can be processed and paid within agreed timescales.
- Ensure purchase orders are correctly coded to the appropriate budgets and receive the necessary approvals.
- Monitor outstanding orders and invoices, following up where required to ensure timely payment.
- Support the resolution of supplier queries and any issues that could impact business operations.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures.
- Carry out quotations where required in line with internal procurement procedures.
- Ensure supplier information and relevant compliance documentation is maintained within the P2P system.
- Work collaboratively with Procurement and wider business teams to improve purchasing processes and service delivery.
- Support the wider procurement function with day-to-day purchasing and supplier management activity.
About You
We are looking for someone with
- Previous experience working in a Buyer, Procurement Officer, Purchasing Officer or similar transactional procurement role .
- Strong experience of raising and processing purchase orders .
- Good understanding of the Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) process .
- Experience managing orders from initial requisition through to invoice/payment.
- Experience liaising with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers .
- Experience using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) would be highly desirable.
- Experience using another purchase order/procurement system will also be considered.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple requisitions and orders simultaneously.
- Good communication and relationship management skills.
- An understanding of procurement policies, processes and compliance.
- Previous experience working within housing/social housing would be advantageous.
- Familiarity with A2Dominion and its processes would be beneficial but is not essential.
Important No supplier sourcing experience is required for this role.
The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for processing requisitions, raising purchase orders, liaising with existing suppliers and managing the process through to payment.
Contract & Location
12-week contract Hybrid working Office attendance required in either Ealing or Staines Immediate start preferred
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Buyer in London employer: Service Care Solutions Ltd
Service Care Solutions Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. With the opportunity to engage in diverse legal matters within the public sector, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements and weekly pay, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in Devon.
Contact Details:
Service Care Solutions Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 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 Service Care Solutions Ltd 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, Service Care Solutions Ltd 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 Service Care Solutions Ltd 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 Service Care Solutions Ltd 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 Service Care Solutions Ltd
✨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.