Assistant Buyer

Severn Trent; Coventry; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK water company is looking for an Assistant Buyer to support the Technology Category Managers in managing low-value procurement and negotiating contracts. Ideal candidates will have excellent communication skills, a willingness to learn, and experience in purchasing processes. The position offers a development opportunity in a collaborative environment that values individuality. Competitive benefits include an annual bonus scheme and a comprehensive training program.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme (up to £1,500)

Leading pension scheme

Sharesave opportunity

Dedicated training and development

Electric vehicle scheme

Family friendly policies

Two paid volunteering days

Qualifications

• Ability to manage stakeholders effectively.
• Experience with managing tenders and contracts.
• Confidence to ask questions and influence decisions.
• Proficient in developing spreadsheets and databases.

Responsibilities

• Manage and negotiate low-value, low-risk procurements.
• Support Category Managers with more complex requirements.
• Provide customer service and guidance on procurement processes.
• Research supply markets and lead supplier selection processes.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Purchasing processes knowledge

Willingness to learn and influence

IT skills (Excel, SAP, Access)

Job description

We're excited to offer an incredible opportunity to join our award‑winning Procurement and Contract Management team as an Assistant Buyer, supporting our Technology Category Managers. If you're looking for a long‑term career move and want to be part of a forward‑thinking, collaborative team that's making a real impact, this is your chance‑come and grow with us. Your focus will be to manage and negotiate low value, low risk one off requirements/ad‑hoc spend, typically ranging from £5k-£250k in value, whilst supporting our Category Managers in the management of larger and more complex requirements and EU tenders. You'll provide great customer service and guidance to our stakeholders on our Procurement processes, research supply markets and suppliers, and lead quotation and supplier selection processes.

This is a development opportunity which will allow you to kick‑start your career in Procurement. If you have confidence, drive and excellent communication skills then we'd love to hear from you.

Qualifications & Skills

• The ability to manage stakeholders and build effective relationships
• Experience and knowledge of purchasing processes (e.g., managing tenders and contracts)
• Willingness to learn, develop and the confidence to ask questions, and influence people
• Good IT skills, with the ability to develop and maintain spreadsheets and databases, (including SAP, Access, Word, PowerPoint)

The right skills and experience are important. But if you have the right character, positivity and a caring attitude we want to talk to you, too. We welcome people from all walks of life and celebrate individuality as we know diverse minds, experiences and backgrounds help us to learn and better serve our communities. We want people who show up and get involve. Those who are ready to be part of something bigger and who want to make a difference because they care.

About Severn Trent

At Severn Trent, we are far more than just a water and waste company - we have some BIG ambitions! In Transformation, we run a series of high risk, high complexity programmes that deliver huge value into our business. From replacing strategic systems to delivering our net zero carbon ambitions, our programmes have the unlimited potential to completely transform our business. Of course, having transformative programmes is one thing, but it's our people that make Severn Trent a truly brilliant and inclusive place to work - a place where you can be yourself and let your skills shine. We're looking for experienced, passionate and dedicated individuals to come and join our ever‑growing team of change professionals.

Benefits

• Annual bonus scheme (of up to £1,500 per annum based on company performance)
• Leading pension scheme - we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Sharesave - the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Dedicated training and development with our Academy
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two paid volunteering days per year