Senior Buyer

Are you ready to advance your procurement career with a company that's been recognised as a Great Place to Work?

We are seeking a Senior Buyer to be at the forefront of procurement for an SSCL Government client, sourcing a wide variety of goods and services. From high-value assets like heavy machinery (e.g., cranes) to research, consultancy, IT services, and accommodation-related contracts, no two days will be the same. You’ll take full ownership of the procurement journey—from market research and tender creation to awarding contracts and handing them over to the client for ongoing management. Collaboration is key, especially when leading tenders, where you’ll work closely with client collaborators to ensure smooth, accurate, and efficient processes. This is an opportunity to make a real impact in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

We provide flexibility in both working hours and location to help you achieve an excellent work-life balance. This role follows a hybrid model, with Tuesdays spent with the team at our Blackpool office, and the option to work remotely for the remainder of the week.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading procurement support, handling tenders from initiation to contract award.
• Ensuring compliance with UK regulations and company policies for strategic contracts.
• Driving supplier relationship management, encouraging innovation, improvements, and benefits.
• Collaborating with clients and operational managers to ensure effective contract delivery.
• Providing regular reports on KPIs, SLAs, and contract performance.
• Proactively planning and managing workload, identifying efficiency opportunities.
• Advising on contract and supplier management, resolving issues and ensuring alignment with company processes.
• Monitoring contracts, tracking progress, and leading contract management meetings.

What you’ll bring:

• Strong commercial awareness with in-depth knowledge of UK Public Sector Procurement policies, procedures, and compliance is an essential requirement.
• Professional qualification in Procurement (e.g., CIPS) or related discipline (Contract Management, Supply Chain) or working towards.
• Skilled in procurement processes, including tendering, contract negotiation, and supplier management.
• Knowledge of procurement processes, including tendering, selection, negotiation, and supplier management.
• Excellent communication, task management, and persuasion skills.

It would be great if you had:

• Proficient in Procurement ERP systems, eSourcing tools, MS Office, and experienced in working with government organisations and third-party suppliers.
• Effective communicator with expertise in market trends, commodities, and guiding teams and clients on procurement compliance.

If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Blackpool

Security Clearance Level: SC

Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum

Benefits: 25 days annual leave with the choice to buy additional days, health cash plan, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.

Although this role is advertised as full-time, we support many ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.

Loved reading about this job and want to know more about us?

SSCL is the market leader in critical business support services for the UK public sector. Operating at size and scale since 2013, SSCL has delivered over £750 million of savings - providing more funds for front line public services. We transform services using digital solutions and innovative technology, developing platforms that enable flexibility to meet the changing needs of our Government, Defence and Police clients.

We employ around 3,000 people who sit at the heart of our business strategy. Their passion and connection to our values and our purpose is what sets us apart and puts SSCL in the Top 20 of GPTW large workplaces. ‘Living SSCL’ means we deliver social value within our services and work with our clients and community partners to support programmes such as education and employability initiatives across the UK.