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- Tasks: Join us as a Buyer, Indirects, managing contracts and sourcing projects.
- Company: Springer Nature is a global leader in research and education, trusted for over 180 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, professional development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Perfect for aspiring procurement pros eager to learn and make an impact in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: A degree or equivalent qualification is essential; experience in indirect procurement is a plus.
- Other info: Apply by 28th February 2025 to kickstart your career with us!
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: London, Hybrid Working Model
Application Deadline: Friday 28th February 2025
About Springer Nature Group
Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals. Every day, around the globe, our imprints, books, journals, platforms and technology solutions reach millions of people. For over 180 years our brands and imprints have been a trusted source of knowledge to these communities. Today, more than ever, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood and used by our communities - enabling them to improve outcomes, make progress, and benefit the generations that follow.
About the Role
We are hiring for a Buyer, Indirects at Springer Nature. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering strategic and tactical initiatives across a broad range of Indirect category areas including IT, HR, Marketing & Professional Services, negotiating key contracts and running end to end sourcing projects. This is a fantastic chance for an aspiring Procurement professional with an affinity for dealmaking to develop a strong skillset and build capability in a fast-moving environment across a variety of spend categories. You will have the opportunity to learn and develop at the same time as delivering substantial value in a growing global business.
Role Responsibilities:
- Exploring, researching and understanding supply markets relating to specific requirements/sub-categories of spend and identifying alternatives to generate and deliver the benefits of increased competitive leverage.
- Working closely with internal stakeholders/budget holders and functional business owners to determine sourcing strategies relating to both new requirements and renewals/extensions of existing contracts.
- Exploring opportunities for collaboration/partnership, specification challenge and demand management in support of SN's strategic objectives, particularly relating to software tools and professional services.
- Supporting the implementation and roll-out of procurement tools/systems and delivering the benefits of spend transparency and efficiency across Indirect Procurement.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications:
- Essential
- Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Demonstrable experience negotiating with supply partners to secure competitive proposals that benchmark well against market indices.
- Experience of indirect procurement, with a successful track record of sourcing goods, services and software solutions.
- Spend analysis & management.
- Supplier selection and contracting.
- Strong business and commercial acumen.
- Coordination of, and participation in cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of e-sourcing & related technology platforms would be an advantage.
- Interpersonal, communications, stakeholder engagement and rapport-building.
- Negotiation and value management.
- Interpretation, preparation, and execution of contractual agreements.
- Critical thinking and numerical analysis.
- Business process mapping and optimization.
- Contract Performance Management.
- Supply risk management.
- Appetite and aptitude for working with cross-functional teams in a complex, changing environment to identify savings opportunities and deliver value to the organisation.
- Multi-tasking.
- Desirable
- MCIPS qualification or interest in achieving this.
- Knowledge of SAP and Ariba would be a distinct advantage.
Job Posting End Date: 28-02-2025
Buyer, Indirects employer: Springer Nature
Contact Detail:
Springer Nature Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer, Indirects
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in indirect procurement, especially in areas like IT and professional services. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, particularly those who have experience in indirect categories. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your negotiation skills and how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past. Being able to articulate these experiences clearly will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of e-sourcing tools and platforms like SAP and Ariba. If you have experience with these technologies, be sure to highlight it, as it aligns well with the requirements of the Buyer, Indirects position.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer, Indirects
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and qualifications required for the Buyer, Indirects position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with these requirements.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in indirect procurement, negotiation skills, and any relevant qualifications such as MCIPS. Use specific examples to demonstrate your achievements in sourcing and supplier management.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to showcase your critical thinking, numerical analysis, and business acumen in your application. These skills are essential for the role, so provide examples of how you've applied them in previous positions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a tailored cover letter that not only expresses your interest in the role but also explains why you are a great fit for Springer Nature. Mention your understanding of their strategic objectives and how you can contribute to achieving them.
How to prepare for a job interview at Springer Nature
✨Research the Company
Before your interview, take some time to understand Springer Nature's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their products and services, especially in the areas of IT, HR, Marketing, and Professional Services. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Given the importance of negotiation in the Buyer, Indirects role, be ready to discuss your past experiences in securing competitive proposals. Prepare examples that showcase your negotiation skills and how you've successfully navigated challenges in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
The role requires strong analytical abilities, so be prepared to discuss your experience with spend analysis and management. Bring examples of how you've used data to inform sourcing strategies or improve procurement processes, as this will highlight your critical thinking skills.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Interpersonal skills are key for this position. Be ready to talk about how you've built relationships with internal stakeholders and managed cross-functional teams. Highlight any specific instances where your engagement led to successful outcomes, as this will demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively.
