Buyer/ Senior Buyer – Soft Services
Location: Reading (Hybrid Working)
Salary: Up to £55,000 + Benefits
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Buyer to join a growing procurement team, supporting the delivery of sourcing and supplier management activities across a broad range of Soft Services categories.
Working closely with Procurement Managers and operational stakeholders, you will play a key role in delivering cost efficiencies, supporting supplier relationships, and ensuring procurement best practice across a diverse service portfolio.
This role would suit an ambitious procurement professional looking to further develop their category management and sourcing expertise within a fast-paced and commercially focused environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Support procurement activities across Soft Services categories including cleaning, waste management, security ect.
- Lead end-to-end sourcing projects, negotiate pricing and commercial terms with suppliers.
- Build and maintain effective supplier relationships to ensure service quality and value for money.
- Drive supplier performance, continuous improvement and cost-saving opportunities.
- Work with operational and business stakeholders to understand procurement requirements.
- Analyse spend data and identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
- Support contract renewals, supplier onboarding, and ongoing contract management activities.
- Monitor supplier performance against agreed service levels and KPIs.
- Ensure procurement activities are conducted in accordance with company policies and governance requirements.
Requirements
- Previous procurement or purchasing experience within Soft Services, Facilities Management, Corporate Services, or a similar environment.
- Experience supporting tendering and sourcing activities.
- Strong commercial acumen and excellent stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret spend and supplier data.
- Organised, proactive, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
- Experience within Facilities Management, Property Services, Outsourcing, Infrastructure, or Corporate Services sectors.
- Knowledge of cleaning, security, catering, or workplace services procurement.
- CIPS qualified or studying towards a qualification.
- Familiarity with procurement and e-sourcing systems.
…