Senior Buyer

Full-time: 35 hours per week 

Open-ended (permanent)

We are looking for a great person to join our award-winning procurement team as a Senior Buyer.
 
The opportunity

The Senior Buyer will:

• Obtain quotations for purchases, supporting end users to develop accurate specifications and analysing requirements to identify suitable suppliers for direct Requests for Quotations for lower value, non-regulated procurements.  
• Create advertise, evaluate and award tenders to suppliers using University and relevant external systems/portals and in accordance with agreed commodity procurement strategies, deciding upon the appropriate procurement route and whether order consolidation is possible, at all times ensuring compliance with University policies, procedures and procurement regulations and sourcing strategies
• Ensure effective and efficient administration of the University’s Procurement Card programme in accordance with policy and procedure, escalating any fraudulent transactions/discrepancies to the Procurement Support Team and other relevant parties
• Organise and maintain document management (e.g. specification development, e-Sourcing, whole life costing and contract/order placement, benefits and efficiency records)
• Investigate and resolve invoice price variances by liaising with end users and external suppliers to ensure prompt supplier payment
• Create new supplier requests and submit to the Procurement Support team, ensuring business probity considerations are actioned
• Support the development of Operational Procurement processes, training delivery, provide advice and guidance to end users and improve service standards
• Ensure supplier catalogues are kept up-to-date
• Represent the University at relevant external events and contribute to future commodity strategies by participating in User Information Groups and deputise for Operational Procurement Manager as required
• Monitor suppliers’ performance against contracts or other arrangements, investigate and resolve any issues with suppliers and end users to ensure satisfactory levels of quality of service and goods is received
• Analyse expenditure profiles, look for opportunities to reduce duplication and streamline processes for the University in goods, services and works. Preparing and delivering on annual commodity plans to achieve best practice indicators to contribute to improving commodity influence, value for money, whole life costing, sustainability etc.

The successful candidate will:

• Have relevant procurement experience, ideally in IT, Software & hardware procurement, public or Higher Education sector with knowledge of legislative framework and will demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development.
• IT experience is not mandatory if supported by substantial procurement experience and a demonstration of ability to pick up a new category.
• Be passionate about delivering excellent customer service and possess excellent interpersonal skills for effective interaction with internal customers and external suppliers and ideally be able to demonstrate examples of responsiveness and successful introduction of change
• Be self-motivated and thrive in a time sensitive, high volume environment with a flexible attitude and the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Have personal credibility and ethics, be a good team player with good commercial influencing and negotiation skills and have the ability to influence and provide guidance to colleagues throughout the University on procurement best practice and compliance
• Possess good analytical skills, good attention to detail and the ability to produce clear, evidence-based reports and recommendations and good presentation skills to deliver procurement updates and training to end users.

Advert information