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- Tasks: Manage purchasing of essential goods and services for smooth operations.
- Company: Join Southco, a global leader in engineered access solutions with 70 years of excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, annual bonuses, competitive pay, and wellness initiatives.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive family culture while making impactful purchasing decisions.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and five years of indirect purchasing experience required.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel and work with global teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The ideal candidate is responsible for purchasing goods and services that are necessary for Southco’s day-to-day operations but are not directly used in the production of their products, such as office supplies, IT equipment, SaaS, marketing, etc. Essentially, the Indirect Buyer will manage a spend category of >$10M in order to keep the business running smoothly while focusing on cost reduction and supplier management.
Responsibilities:
- Sourcing suppliers – Finding and evaluating potential vendors for indirect purchases, negotiating contracts and pricing.
- Cost management – Analysing spending patterns, identifying cost savings opportunities and managing the total cost of ownership for indirect purchases.
- Contract management – Ensuring compliance with supplier contracts and managing contract renewals.
- Identifying needs – Working with different departments and regions within the company to understand their needs for indirect goods and services.
- Supplier relationship building – Develop strong relationships with strategic suppliers to ensure timely delivery and quality of goods and services.
- Risk mitigation – Assessing potential risks associated with indirect purchases and implementing mitigation strategies.
- Monitor market conditions & performance – Report on innovation, price trends, potential opportunities. Utilise Scorecard to track action plans and deliver year on year improvement goals.
- Project Management – Lead Cross Functional Teams to achieve indirect project goals.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in business or related areas, or technical degree (desirable).
- Minimum five years’ indirect purchasing experience.
- CPSM certification or equivalent.
- Working knowledge of SAP.
- Excellent communication/negotiating skills.
- Ability to lead global, virtual teams.
- Experience purchasing SaaS and a good understanding of different license types.
- Good working knowledge of global supply market capabilities, pricing policies, best practice category management, spend management, tools and templates, and effective stakeholder management.
- Willing to travel to other Southco locations.
So why join us?
At Southco, our employees are at the heart of what we do; we’re a family and strive to maintain our culture. By joining us you will benefit from private healthcare and dental care, an annual bonus, globally competitive compensation, pension match up to 8%, life assurance, and wellness initiatives.
Why Southco?
With over 70 years of engineering excellence and more than 3000 employees in 20 countries, Southco is a global leader for the manufacturing of engineered access solutions, products that you and thousands of others interact with every day. Our products form what we call 'touch points', such as locks, latches, fasteners, hinges, handles, and many other products that serve virtually hundreds of industries worldwide. Southco employees enjoy an excellent work/life balance, globally competitive compensation, and global and local connections with colleagues from around the world who share the same vision and passion. Being part of the Southco family means being part of a success story that spans almost a century and is still being written by people just like you today.
Indirect Buyer employer: Southco, Inc.
Contact Detail:
Southco, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Indirect Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific indirect purchasing needs of Southco. Research their current suppliers and understand the types of goods and services they typically procure. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, especially those who have experience in indirect purchasing. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights into best practices and trends that are relevant to Southco.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your negotiation skills, as this role requires strong communication and negotiating abilities. Consider role-playing scenarios with a friend or mentor to practice how you would handle supplier negotiations effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on market conditions and pricing trends related to indirect purchases. Being able to discuss recent developments in the supply market during your interview will show that you are proactive and well-informed about the industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Indirect Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in indirect purchasing, supplier management, and cost reduction. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in these areas.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the key responsibilities of the Indirect Buyer role. Explain how your background aligns with Southco's needs, particularly in sourcing suppliers and managing contracts.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your communication and negotiation skills, as well as your experience with SAP and SaaS purchasing. Mention any certifications like CPSM that you hold to strengthen your application.
Highlight Project Management Experience: If you have experience leading cross-functional teams or managing projects, be sure to include this in your application. It shows your ability to work collaboratively and achieve goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southco, Inc.
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what an Indirect Buyer does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities listed in the job description, such as sourcing suppliers and managing contracts. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your knowledge.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in indirect purchasing. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed supplier relationships or identified cost savings. Use metrics to quantify your achievements, as this will make your contributions more tangible.
✨Demonstrate Negotiation Skills
Since negotiation is a key part of the role, be ready to discuss your negotiation strategies. You might even want to prepare a mock negotiation scenario to showcase your skills. This will show that you can effectively manage contracts and pricing.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the company's current challenges in indirect purchasing or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
