Procurement Buyer (United Kingdom)

The Associated Press is seeking a Procurement Buyer for its London office. This position follows a hybrid work model and reports to the Senior Procurement Manager.

The Procurement Buyer is responsible for sourcing a range of global technology and other products and services, including hardware, software, cloud and storage solutions, consulting services, maintenance services, outsourcing, and conferencing solutions.

This role involves collaborating with senior managers and internal stakeholders across the organization to gather procurement requirements, lead sourcing efforts, and manage vendor proposal reviews and selection processes. Additionally, the Procurement Buyer will coordinate and lead negotiations with selected vendors to ensure optimal terms and value for the organization.

Main Responsibilities:

• Monitor company-wide procurement of assigned goods and services to maximize internal and external leverage, ensuring that "the best value at the lowest price" is consistently achieved.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of global procurement plans and strategies that enhance the company’s performance.
• Identify, develop, and manage strong professional relationships with suppliers and internal business partners. Proactively leverage those relationships to stay informed about internal needs and market trends for the best applicable solutions.
• Explore new cost-saving opportunities by meeting regularly with suppliers to review existing contracts and engagements, as well as meeting with competitors to gain insights into alternative solutions and maximize AP’s purchasing advantage.
• Implement and maintain supplier performance monitoring programs, including conducting price audits on supplier contracts to ensure compliance and measuring service-level performance.

Qualifications:

• 2–5+ years of progressive enterprise procurement experience required; technology-related experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, systems, or a related field required.
• In-depth knowledge of enterprise procurement principles and techniques, including:
• Internal requirements gathering
• Market analysis and research
• Supplier evaluation
• Service-level and deal evaluations (pricing, terms and conditions, financial analysis, etc.)
• Preparation of RFIs/RFPs
• Proficiency in contract negotiations and agreements, including related terms and conditions and industry best practices for various commodity types.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Strong persuasive speaking and presentation skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to drive favorable business terms.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate financial data and solve problems.
• SAP and SAP SRM experience is a plus.
• Self-motivated and reliable, with the ability to manage priorities and time effectively, while also directing suppliers and their personnel.

Additional requirements:

• Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English language is required.
• Authorization to work in the United Kingdom for any employer is mandatory.

Application deadline is April 11, 2025 at 11:59PM EST.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristic protected by law.