At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing activities and negotiate with suppliers for best value.
- Company: Join Virgin Media O2, a leader in inclusive and equitable employment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a fantastic reward package with extra benefits for you and your loved ones.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team with a focus on sustainability and customer satisfaction.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and ability to manage high-volume purchasing.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € per year.
About the role
We're looking for a Category Buyer to join our Procurement team, helping us deliver best value for money while keeping things simple, sustainable, and fully compliant. In this role, you'll manage a high volume of low-value purchasing processes using our GEP spend management tool, negotiating with suppliers, supporting contract activity, and working closely with colleagues across Finance, Legal, and Procurement. It's a hands‑on role where you'll balance cost savings, risk management, and customer satisfaction every day.
Responsibilities
- Leading sourcing activity including RFPs, auctions and negotiations, ensuring best commercial value, risk mitigation and sustainability impact
- Engaging and communicating with internal customers, Category Managers and group stakeholders (Telefonica Global Services, Liberty Global Procurement)
- Supporting contract implementation and ensuring compliance with VMO2's procurement policies and procedures
- Managing multiple projects and processes while delivering a positive customer experience
- Contributing to savings targets, efficiency improvements and sustainability objectives
Qualifications
- Good interpersonal skills and an ability to work with and influence suppliers and internal stakeholders at all levels
- Strong negotiating skills and the ability to lead competitive sourcing processes
- Ability to manage high volumes of purchasing activity against tight SLA targets
- Strong time management and organisational skills
- The ability to work within cross‑functional and/or virtual teams
- Experience of using management information from ERP and Purchasing systems (ideally GEP)
- Basic contract knowledge, with an ability to finalise low‑value agreements where required
- Strong analytical and desktop research skills
- An interest in procurement and studying towards CIPS accreditation
Benefits
You’ll get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.
Equal Opportunities
Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer and we’re working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.
Category Buyer in City of Westminster employer: Virgin Media
At Virgin Media O2, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Category Buyer, you'll benefit from a comprehensive reward package, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, all while working in a supportive environment that values your contributions and encourages you to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the procurement field, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to sourcing and negotiation. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using online resources to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your achievements in procurement, such as successful negotiations or cost-saving projects. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Buyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement, negotiation skills, and any specific tools like GEP that you've used. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully managed purchasing processes or led sourcing activities. This will help us see how you can handle the hands-on nature of the role.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. This will help us quickly understand your fit for the position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Media
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around sourcing activities and contract management. Familiarise yourself with terms like RFPs and SLAs, as well as the GEP spend management tool, since this role heavily relies on these aspects.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you achieved significant savings or improved supplier relationships. Be ready to discuss your approach to balancing cost savings with risk management, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle the hands-on nature of the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've successfully communicated with internal customers and stakeholders in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where you influenced decisions or collaborated effectively across teams, as this is crucial for the Category Buyer position.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Highlight your experience with data analysis and desktop research. Bring examples of how you've used management information from ERP systems to drive decisions or improve processes, as analytical skills are key to contributing to savings targets and efficiency improvements.
