Buyer in Wakefield

Job Introduction

About us

Do you aspire to work in a welcoming, innovative, forward-thinking, inclusive and supportive organisation where you can also learn and develop? YPO might be the perfect fit for you!

With 50 years of experience, YPO has been dedicated to supporting the public sector. Our journey began five decades ago when 13 local authorities united to streamline their purchasing needs and enhance efficiency, forming the organisation we know today.

As a 100% publicly owned entity by our 13 member authorities, we ensure that our profits are reinvested into our public sector customers, offering even greater value for money. Discover more about our company and culture at Start a career at YPO | YPO.

YPO is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best.

If this position is advertised as a full-time role (37 hours per week), YPO is pleased to consider requests for flexible working arrangements, including part-time hours and job-sharing opportunities. We are committed to supporting work-life balance and encourage candidates to discuss their preferred working patterns with us.

Are you an experienced procurement professional ready to take the next step into a fast paced Procurement team within YPOs Internal Procurement Team?

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to join YPO’s Internal Procurement Team as a Buyer, working closely with the Internal Procurement Lead and colleagues across the organisation to deliver effective procurement solutions for YPO’s internal requirements.

You will manage end-to-end procurement activity across a range of corporate goods and services, ensuring that internal stakeholders receive compliant, timely and value-for-money outcomes that support YPO’s business objectives.

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded Buyer to join our Internal Procurement team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering effective procurement solutions that support YPO's strategic objectives and provide value for our customers and stakeholders. As a Buyer, you will manage a diverse portfolio of procurement projects across a range of corporate goods and services. Working closely with internal departments and budget holders, you will help shape procurement strategies, develop specifications, and identify the most appropriate route to market while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, governance requirements and organisational policies. You will lead end-to-end sourcing activity, from initial planning and market engagement through to tendering, evaluation, negotiation and contract award. The role offers the opportunity to build strong relationships with suppliers and Internal stakeholders, influence commercial decision-making, and deliver tangible benefits through effective procurement practice. Beyond the procurement process, you will support contract and supplier management activities, helping to monitor performance, manage risk, identify savings opportunities and drive continuous improvement. Your commercial insight and practical advice will help stakeholders make informed decisions and maximise value from supplier relationships. The successful candidate will be part of a collaborative procurement team, contributing to procurement planning, sharing best practice and supporting the development of Assistant Buyers. This role provides excellent exposure to a broad range of procurement activities and offers a fantastic opportunity for a procurement professional looking to further develop their career within a leading public sector organisation. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, building effective relationships and delivering successful procurement outcomes, this role offers the opportunity to make a visible contribution to YPO's continued success.

About You

You will be a commercially aware, customer-focused procurement professional with experience of delivering end-to-end sourcing and contracting activity for internal or corporate requirements in a complex organisation.

You will bring strong analytical, negotiation and decision-making skills, build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers, and provide clear, practical procurement advice while supporting the development of Assistant Buyers.

This is a great opportunity to develop your procurement career and make a visible contribution to YPO’s objectives.

• Manage end-to-end procurement projects for corporate goods and services, including planning, market engagement, tendering, evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and budget holders to define requirements, develop specifications and agree proportionate procurement routes and timescales.
• Support effective contract and supplier management, monitoring performance, risk, compliance and opportunities for savings and continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate contracts, procurement records and management information, ensuring activity follows legislation, governance and YPO policies.
• Provide practical commercial advice, resolve procurement and supplier issues, and contribute to internal procurement plans and priorities.
• Lead specific procurement projects and line manage or support Assistant Buyers in line with YPO’s values.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Knowledge of public procurement legislation and experience of applying procurement policies, governance and best practice.
• A proven track record of delivering end-to-end tenders, contracts or similar procurement projects in a complex organisation.
• Strong commercial, contract drafting, negotiation, risk-management and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to translate internal requirements into effective procurement solutions.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records and use Microsoft Office applications confidently.

You should be a full member of CIPS, studying towards membership, be willing to work towards and have a relevant qualification and experience.

For a detailed description of the role and required skills, please refer to the job description attached below.

What’s in it for you?

We are proud to offer a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• Generous annual leave, from 24 days a year, plus 8 days statutory bank holidays and 3 discretionary closedown days at Christmas
• Local Government Pension through West Yorkshire Pension Fund
• Recognition of continuous service from current employment with a relevant public sector body may apply (please email recruitment@ypo.co.uk for further information)
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing package
• Flexi scheme and flexible working options available (please discuss your preferred working requirements with the manager at interview)
• Family friendly policies
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Subsidised canteen
• Free parking available

Further information can be found on the Staff Intranet, or click here to visit our Careers page Start a career at YPO | YPO

To have a confidential and informal discussion about this role, or any additional support, please contact Sarah Sesum - sarah.sesum@ypo.co.uk.

Interviews are planned to take place week commencing 9th November 2026.