At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement activities and build strong supplier relationships.
- Company: Join a supportive organisation making a difference in communities across the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, professional development, and the chance to contribute to meaningful causes.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values continuous improvement and delivers real savings.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
As an Operational Buyer, you will manage day-to-day procurement activities, working closely with stakeholders, suppliers, and colleagues across Finance and Procurement. You will ensure purchasing processes run smoothly, deliver value for money, and support continuous improvement initiatives. You will also manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, service, and value, review and process purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and supplier onboarding requests, negotiate pricing, discounts, and commercial terms to achieve savings, provide procurement advice and support to internal stakeholders, resolve purchasing, invoicing, and payment queries, monitor procurement activity, analyse spend data, and produce reports, support procurement systems, training, and compliance initiatives, and promote best-practice procurement across the organisation.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid and agile working (minimum 2 days a week in the office). Supportive and collaborative team environment. Professional development opportunities.
Benefits: The chance to contribute to an organisation that supports vulnerable people and communities across the UK and Ireland.
Responsibilities:
- Manage day-to-day procurement activities, working closely with stakeholders, suppliers, and colleagues across Finance and Procurement.
- Ensure purchasing processes run smoothly, deliver value for money, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, service, and value.
- Review and process purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and supplier onboarding requests.
- Negotiate pricing, discounts, and commercial terms to achieve savings.
- Provide procurement advice and support to internal stakeholders.
- Resolve purchasing, invoicing, and payment queries.
- Monitor procurement activity, analyse spend data, and produce reports.
- Support procurement systems, training, and compliance initiatives.
- Promote best-practice procurement across the organisation.
Qualifications:
- Proven procurement or purchasing experience within a large organisation.
- Experience delivering cost savings and value improvements.
- Strong understanding of Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) processes.
- CIPS Level 3 qualification (or higher).
- Experience using procurement systems such as Unit4, SAP, or similar.
- Strong analytical and reporting skills, including advanced Excel.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Operational Buyer employer: The Salvation Army
Join a dynamic and supportive team as an Operational Buyer, where your contributions will directly impact the lives of vulnerable people and communities across the UK and Ireland. With a hybrid working model and a strong emphasis on professional development, you'll thrive in a collaborative environment that values continuous improvement and best-practice procurement. Enjoy the unique opportunity to negotiate with suppliers and drive cost savings while being part of an organisation dedicated to making a meaningful difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Buyer
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like The Salvation Army.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to The Salvation Army:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to The Salvation Army. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like The Salvation Army.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Salvation Army
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at The Salvation Army!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at The Salvation Army. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into The Salvation Army's culture.
