At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new procurement buying desk focused on operational spend and deliver cost-saving projects.
- Company: Join a UK market leader in procurement with a dynamic and supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and excellent benefits.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in procurement and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: University degree and experience in procurement or buying roles.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a multinational company.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Graduate Calibre Procurement Buyer required by UK Market Leader, to head up brand new procurement buying desk focused on operational planned spend. Salary c£ plus car allowance, bonus & benefits. Birmingham Commutable from Birmingham, Solihull, Shirley, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Coventry, Leicester, Derby, Rugby, Stratford on Avon, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Alcester, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Worcester, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Lichfield, Tamworth, Northampton.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Operational Procurement Buyer to join a relatively new procurement buying desk. You will work alongside a central shared service procurement function focusing on tactical and currently, non-compliant operational spend within our client’s national, divisional business units and multi site manufacturing operations. This will include direct sourcing, indirect sourcing and procurement delivery as part of the overall procurement strategy.
As Operational Procurement Buyer you will be focused on tactical sourcing activity in relation to operational spend, both direct materials and indirect services, not covered by strategic category management teams. You will support category strategy development, delivering projects to translate these strategies into validated cost savings. You will be an excellent relationship builder, with a strong capability in terms of stakeholder engagement within operational teams advising, managing and delivering on best value spend options for a range of indirect and direct spend areas within a certain critical spend level.
A strong and confident personality you will be familiar with presenting at senior executive level and also to operational and functional heads based within manufacturing and processing facilities.
The Role:
- Lead the delivery of buying activity for operational planned spend opportunities within defined operational spend levels.
- Manage transactional buying desk activities and support wider strategic category management.
- Deliver additional value to operational buying on orders £30k plus– interpreting and meeting operational requirements/specifications, demand and delivery of solutions.
- Support of local category sourcing that continuously improves suppliers’ and contractors’ compliance with Safety, Health & Environment and Corporate & Social Responsibility standards.
- Work closely with category managers and business units to establish and deliver procurement requirements, strategic benefits and compliance to existing procurement contracts.
- Ensures products and services are purchased in the most cost- and time-efficient manner, delivering ‘agile’ solutions to implement and ensure purchasing best practices.
- Engagement with operational teams to review pipeline and track regional and national opportunities.
- Identification of suppliers and supplier engagement in buying activities.
- Quotation analysis and recommendations, consideration suitability/reliability of suppliers to meet operational requirements.
- Monitor and challenge non-compliant buying activities.
- Report on compliance, procurement and operational KPIs.
- Utilisation of eProcurement solutions, including eAuctions.
The Ideal Person:
- University degree educated, Part or Fully Qualified CIPS or willing to study.
- Career track record gained within large multinational procurement environment.
- Experience as a Buyer or Purchasing or Category Specialist.
- Experience of operational and tactical buying and procurement.
- Experience of SAP or similar ERP systems for procurement.
- Numerate and analytical with excellent attention to detail, able to work well as part of a team and autonomously.
- Enthusiastic and ‘can do’ personality.
- Ambitious and driven to succeed and progress career within blue chip multinational procurement environment.
- Confident and excellent relationship builder with a track record of stakeholder engagement.
- Very good persuasion, influencing and negotiating skills.
This is a great career development opportunity for a graduate calibre procurement buyer to head up a high profile and brand new procurement buying desk and to deliver savings in a fast paced dynamic, supportive environment.
OPERATIONAL PROCUREMENT BUYER - PROCUREMENT DESK in Kidderminster employer: The Martin Veasey Partnership
Contact Detail:
The Martin Veasey Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land OPERATIONAL PROCUREMENT BUYER - PROCUREMENT DESK in Kidderminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the procurement field. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Understand their operational needs and think about how you can add value. Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around stakeholder engagement and tactical sourcing.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive procurement decisions in the past. Bring examples of how you've delivered cost savings or improved supplier compliance – this will really impress potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications that way!
We think you need these skills to ace OPERATIONAL PROCUREMENT BUYER - PROCUREMENT DESK in Kidderminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operational Procurement Buyer role. Highlight relevant experience in procurement, especially any tactical buying or supplier engagement you've done. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your enthusiasm for working in a dynamic environment like ours.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, be sure to include examples of how you've used these skills in past roles. Whether it's through data analysis or cost-saving initiatives, we want to see your numbers game!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Martin Veasey Partnership
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around operational and tactical buying. Understand the key concepts of direct and indirect sourcing, as well as how to deliver cost savings. This will show that you're not just a graduate but someone who is ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Since this role requires excellent relationship-building abilities, prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past. Think about specific situations where you influenced decisions or negotiated effectively, and be ready to discuss these during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
As an Operational Procurement Buyer, you'll need to analyse quotations and supplier reliability. Bring along examples of how you've used data to make informed decisions in previous roles or projects. This will highlight your numeracy and analytical skills, which are crucial for the position.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about the procurement desk and its goals. Ask about the challenges they face in operational spend or how they measure success in their procurement strategies. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.