535 - Interim Procurement Buyer
Procurement Buyer, UK-based (Interim)
Our client is seeking an experienced interim Procurement Buyer to lead supplier contract negotiations and support the effective delivery of procurement activities within a busy operational environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for negotiating approximately 30 supplier contracts during a short-term assignment, ensuring commercially competitive terms, value for money and alignment with procurement requirements and established procedures.
Working closely with the wider procurement team, suppliers and internal stakeholders, the interim Procurement Buyer will manage supplier engagement, review commercial terms, negotiate contractual arrangements and support the progression of agreements through to completion. This is a hands-on, commercially focused role requiring proven supplier contract negotiation experience, strong procurement knowledge and the ability to independently manage multiple negotiations within demanding timescales. The successful candidate must be confident engaging with suppliers, identifying commercial opportunities and delivering agreed procurement outcomes with minimal supervision.
Location: UK-based – working from home
Start Date: Immediate
Duration: 2 months
Day Rate: Competitive day rate
Application Deadline: Open until filled – early applications are encouraged as we review applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert early once sufficient suitable applications have been received.
Application Deadline: Open until filled – early applications are encouraged as we review applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert early once sufficient suitable applications have been received.
*** Applicants must have full and ongoing right to work in the UK. We do not offer visa sponsorship or accept candidates requiring future visa support ***
Interim Procurement Buyer – Key Responsibilities:
Interim Procurement Buyer – Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the negotiation of approximately 30 supplier contracts, ensuring commercially competitive terms, value for money and timely progression towards agreement.
- Review existing and proposed supplier contracts, assessing pricing structures, commercial terms, service requirements and opportunities for cost efficiencies.
- Develop and implement appropriate negotiation approaches for individual suppliers, taking account of commercial priorities, contractual requirements and procurement objectives.
- Engage directly with suppliers to negotiate pricing, contractual terms, service arrangements and other relevant commercial conditions.
- Manage multiple supplier negotiations simultaneously, prioritising activities to meet agreed project deadlines and deliverables.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand operational requirements, commercial priorities and contractual expectations before progressing negotiations.
- Identify opportunities to achieve cost savings, improve commercial terms and strengthen supplier arrangements while maintaining required service standards.
- Support the review, preparation and coordination of supplier agreements, ensuring negotiated terms are accurately documented and progressed through appropriate approval processes.
- Identify and escalate commercial risks, contractual concerns and unresolved negotiation issues to relevant stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate records of supplier discussions, negotiation outcomes, agreed terms and contract progression.
- Monitor and report on contract negotiation progress, highlighting completed agreements, outstanding actions, commercial benefits and potential delivery risks.
- Support supplier relationship management, maintaining professional and constructive engagement throughout the negotiation process.
Key Responsibilities (continued):
- Ensure procurement and contract negotiation activities comply with established purchasing policies, approval requirements and relevant governance procedures.
- Liaise with procurement, finance, legal and operational stakeholders, where required, to facilitate contract reviews, approvals and completion.
- Support associated procurement administration, including maintaining supplier documentation, updating procurement systems and coordinating relevant purchasing records.
- Contribute to procurement process improvements and identify opportunities to enhance commercial efficiency and supplier management practices.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications:
Essential:
- Proven experience in a Procurement Buyer, Senior Buyer, Procurement Specialist or similar commercially focused procurement role.
- Demonstrable experience independently negotiating supplier contracts, including pricing, commercial terms and contractual conditions.
- Strong commercial negotiation skills, with a track record of achieving favourable supplier agreements, cost efficiencies or improved contractual terms.
- Practical experience reviewing supplier contracts, identifying commercial risks and negotiating appropriate contractual arrangements.
- Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier management, purchasing governance and contract negotiation procedures.
- Experience managing multiple supplier negotiations or procurement activities simultaneously while working to demanding deadlines.
- Ability to assess supplier proposals, evaluate commercial terms and identify opportunities to improve value for money.
- Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to balance cost, service requirements, contractual obligations and supplier relationships.
- Experience working collaboratively with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements and agree procurement priorities.
- Strong supplier relationship management skills, with the confidence to challenge proposals, resolve commercial issues and negotiate effectively.
- Excellent communication, influencing and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage professionally with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail when reviewing pricing, contractual terms and procurement documentation.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and familiarity with procurement or contract management systems.
- Ability to work independently, take ownership of assigned negotiations and deliver agreed outcomes with minimal supervision.
- A proactive, results-driven and commercially focused approach, with the ability to make an immediate contribution within a short-term interim assignment.
Desirable:
- Previous procurement and supplier contract negotiation experience within Facilities Management, property services or a similar operational environment.
- A relevant procurement qualification, such as CIPS, or equivalent professional procurement experience.
- Experience negotiating multiple supplier contracts as part of a defined procurement project, contract review or commercial improvement programme.
- Experience identifying and delivering measurable cost savings, improved supplier terms or procurement efficiencies.
- Familiarity with supplier contract governance, approval processes and contract management systems.
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