Senior Buyer

Buyer/ Senior Buyer - Soft Services

Location: Reading (Hybrid Working)

Salary: Up to £55,000 + Benefits

Please read the following job description thoroughly to ensure you are the right fit for this role before applying.

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. xwzovoh
• Familiarity with procurement and e-sourcing systems.