Assistant Buyer

Carry out the effective procurement of materials and services in support of company spend categories but with flexibility to support the broader procurement business needs

Main Duties

-Establishing and maintaining an efficient and effective procurement service at all times in support of facilities management buying needs.

-Ensuring purchases/orders remain primarily focussed with national or preferred suppliers.

-Ensuring that all buying activities are carried out in accordance with procurement processes and escalating non-compliance.

-Identifying any opportunity to continually improve processes to ensure lean, effective procurement process supporting operations.

-Managing buying resource to ensure operational needs are satisfied and a high level of service maintained.

-Continually reviewing existing supply deals and benchmarking prices to ensure best value is constantly obtained.

-Reporting on Facilities Management rebates that the buying team have delivered on a quarterly basis and collecting such rebates in a timely manner.

-Carrying out key supplier reviews in accordance with the latest forms and guidance.

-Continually reviewing sustainability profile of the key suppliers and products to ensure the principles of sustainable procurement are applied.

-Establishing strong links with operational teams and continually improving the procurement service provided. Attending operational meetings and visiting sites as and when required.

Excellent communicator across a varied audience both internally and with third party suppliers.

-Developing relationships across the operational business and with national suppliers is key to the success of the role.

-Planning and organisational skills are essential.

-Commercial Awareness.

-Independent thinker and self-managed.

-Ability to analyse and negotiate with suppliers.

-Demonstrable ability to establish and manage processes and change.

-Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards are met.

-Demonstrate a readiness to make decisions, take the initiative and originate action.

-Monitor timescales and plans.

-Understand technical or professional aspects of work and continually maintains technical knowledge.

-Maintain effective work behaviour in the face of setbacks or pressure. Remains calm, stable and in control of themselves.

-Should speak clearly, fluently & in a compelling manner to both individuals & groups.

-Writes in a clear & concise manner, using appropriate grammar, style and language for the reader.

-Demonstrate a broad based view of issues, events and activities and a perception of their longer term impact or wider implications.

-Successfully adapts to changing demands and conditions.

-Understands and applies commercial and financial principles. Views issues in terms of costs, profits, markets and added value.