Senior Buyer

A growing procurement management consultancy with an already well-established client base in the technology sector is seeking a Senior Buyer to join its experienced team of consultants. 
  
If you’ve ever wanted to work for a procurement consultancy but struggled to bridge the gap between an in-house tactical buying role and an external-facing consultancy role, then this could be a great opportunity for you to learn how to consult. 
  
With a specific focus on tail end tactical spend, you’ll act as an extension to your clients’ procurement teams, executing the end-to-end sourcing process, supplier onboarding and management of contracts for in scope spend. 
  
You’ll also report to an experienced Director of Procurement Services and shadow seasoned consultants as you develop and progress your procurement toolkit.  

Although you may be required to travel into London on an ad-hoc basis, the role will be primarily home-based.

As Senior Buyer (IT) your key responsibilities will be:

• Responsible for handling and processing quotation requests within our customer SLAs
• Maintain positive customer and supplier relationships.
• Source and negotiate best prices and terms to share with our customers
• Adhere to purchasing processes and assure compliance with our contract terms.
• Provide regular and accurate reporting on the status of all quotations to both internal and external stakeholders, as required.
• Collaborate with customers and suppliers, as well as internal Sales support, Finance and Legal teams
• Work with Category team on transformation projects as necessary
• Source products and services across with expertise specifically in  IT, Networks and infrastructure hardware, software and services
• Understand and apply standard procurement principles
• Work to deadlines and contracted KPIs – focus on quick turnaround and savings
• Respond to customer requests for quotation within given SLAs
• Negotiate best price, contract terms including payment terms and delivery timescales to achieve targets and increase savings for our customers
• Evaluate supplier price, quality, and delivery performance
• Onboard new suppliers and maintain existing supplier records
• Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships through effective communications
• Prepare and implement appropriate forms of contract commitment with suppliers, engaging legal counsel and senior management when required
• Understand customer needs and take prompt action on their requests
• Attend meetings and update other colleagues on issues or concerns to share best practice and define processes

Skills, knowledge and experience:

• Minimum of 3 years procurement experience including, but not limited to, all aspects of buying IT, Network and Infrastructure hardware software and services, SRM and supply chain management
• Experience in managing supplier interactions and experience in reviewing contracts
• Experience in managing stakeholders, external customers
• Working in a fast-paced environment
• Specific knowledge and experience in buying IT, networks and infrastructure hardware, software and services
• Confident in the entire procurement process from quote to invoice
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• The ability to work effectively and build strong working relationships with colleagues, suppliers and customers particularly when communicating via telephone/video
• Able to lead work and interact with suppliers and customers who may be based in different countries
• Analytical skills to evaluate supplier terms and data including spend files, tender prices and category benchmarking
• Ability to influence and persuade stakeholders plus manage and negotiate with suppliers
• Ability to manage all aspects of their workload and work independently or as part of a team to ensure all functions and tasks are carried out with due care.
• Resilient, positive and persevering attitude to overcome and solve problems, challenges, and issues fast and effectively
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, SAP and Ariba is desirable.

Benefits of the Senior Buyer (IT) role include:

• £45-50,000 basic salary
• Enhanced pension
• Private medical insurance
• 25 days holiday