Senior Buyer

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 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 processes and policies to diligently follow.

We embrace new ways of working and contracting which will help the Society optimise its cost base, ensure resilience and create the space to generate new markets and income streams for Nationwide. You are keen to learn and are as excited as we are about the future this role will bring.

Already a procurement professional, you’ll be looking for your next challenge. You have a proven track record in procurement and can demonstrate how you deliver tangible business benefit, using procurement expertise to influence and engage with a wide range of stakeholders and suppliers.

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.

If based in London, there will be the need to attend ad/hoc meetings in Swindon and vice versa. There will also be infrequent requirements to attend supplier visits and to attend ad/hoc meetings in places such as Glasgow and Manchester.

What you’ll be doing

1. Deliver “joined-up” procurement and supply chain strategies that are aligned to the full procurement lifecycle (category planning, sourcing & supplier management) for designated category.
2. 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.
3. Use stakeholder relationships to develop a deep understanding of the designated business area and to enable the development of procurement and supply chain strategies.
4. 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.
5. 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. Experience of negotiating IT-focused contracts.
• Knowledge and experience in cost and budget management.
• Knowledge and experience in using Procurement tools, specifically Coupa and PowerBI.
• Working towards, or holding a relevant professional qualification (e.g. CIPS or equivalent).
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills including: effective communications, relationship building and stakeholder management.
• 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 for proposal.

Our Customer First behaviours are all about putting customers and members at the heart of how we work together. You can strengthen your application by showing the behaviours that resonate with you, and how you might have already demonstrated these.

• Say it straight - This is about being honest and direct with good intent and saying what needs to be said in the room. It’s also about being clear, precise, and using language that we and, importantly, our customers and members can understand.
• Push for better - This is about aiming high and constantly looking for better in how we work together and serve our customers and members.
• Get it done - This is about prioritising what will have the greatest impact, being decisive and taking accountability for delivering on the end-to-end outcome.

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

What makes us different

Nationwide is the world’s largest building society. With over 15 million customers, we have a relationship with almost a quarter of the UK’s population. We’ve got the scale to compete with the big banks, but we’re not a bank.

As a building society, we’re owned by our members – that’s our customers who have their current account, mortgage or savings with us. It means we can do things differently to deliver our Purpose – Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society.

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.