Senior Buyer - 12 month FTC

Nationwide Building Society; Swindon, London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000

Job description

Nationwide’s procurement function has gone through, and continues to go through, significant and successful transformation to ensure we deliver the best possible outcomes for Nationwide and our members. Our operating model combines category alignment with business partnering focused on the delivery of business and member outcomes.

We are looking for a Senior Buyer who is passionate about procurement and understands the value they can bring to Nationwide. You will understand the importance of developing compelling category strategies, getting the right commercial deal, investment into relationships and moving at pace. You will have a knowledge of multiple procurement categories, ideally understanding the specifics involved when contracting for data provision as well as IT contracting. A financial services background, or experience in a regulated environment would also be beneficial. You will want to make a difference with new thinking, whilst respecting we have process and policies to diligently follow.

At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.

For this job you'll spend at least two days per week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, based at either our Swindon or London office. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here.

If based in London there is the need to attend ad/hoc meetings in Swindon from time to time. If based in Swindon there is also the requirement to attend ad/hoc meetings in London from time to time. There are also infrequent requirements to attend supplier visits.

This is a 12 month FTC role.

If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.

What you’ll be doing

Deliver “joined-up” procurement and supply chain strategies that are aligned to the full procurement lifecycle (category planning, sourcing & supplier management) for designated category.

Execute commercial and contractual activity for designated suppliers/categories, through the delivery of account plans, development plans (including the potential to identify new suppliers) and supplier governance.

Use stakeholder relationships to develop a deep understanding of the designated business area and to enable the development of procurement and supply chain strategies.

Own and manage the commercial contract risks which exist in the category, ensuring mechanisms are in place to identify, report, manage and mitigate risk within a defined risk appetite.

Draft, manage and where appropriate lead on negotiations to ensure robust commercial deals and a timely execution of Nationwide contract pipeline.

About you

• Knowledge of and experience in procurement and supply chain skills and techniques i.e. category management, contract negotiation and management, supplier selection and relationship management.
• Knowledge and experience in cost and budget management.
• Knowledge and experience in using Procurement tools; Purchase to Pay systems such as Coupa or equivalent.
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills including: effective communication, relationship building and stakeholder management. In this role you'll need to be comfortable negotiating terms and to provide updates to internal stakeholders.
• Ability to plan and prioritise effectively to manage and deliver a demanding workload.
• Be a self-starter, but a strong team player.
• Experience in leading market review exercise, e.g. Request per proposal.

Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:

• Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind.
• Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand.
• Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development.
• Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes.

You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.

The extras you’ll get

There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:

• A personal pension – if you put in 7% of your salary, we’ll top up by a further 16%.
• Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year.
• Life assurance worth 8x your salary.
• A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme.
• Wellhub – Access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness.
• Access to an annual performance related bonus.
• Access to training to help you develop and progress your career.
• 25 days holiday, pro rata.

Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society

We forge our own path at Nationwide.

As a mutual, we’re owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don’t see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.

If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us.

At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.

We are Purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly Customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.

What to do next

If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us.

We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.