Buyer

Reed; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Hybrid work after induction

Enhanced annual leave

Job summary

Reed is seeking a skilled Buyer to join our Kent team in a hybrid role. You will manage high-value procurement, lead tenders, and negotiate contracts with suppliers, while engaging internal stakeholders to drive successful outcomes.

Ideal candidates will have a background in procurement or contract management, experience with end-to-end tender processes, and strong analytical capabilities. Hybrid working after induction is available.

Qualifications

• Background in procurement, purchasing or contract management.
• Exposure to complex operational, technical or project-based environments.
• Proven involvement in end-to-end tender processes, from market engagement through to contract award.
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness, including contract review and negotiation.
• Ability to build effective relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good working knowledge of ERP, purchasing or procurement systems.
• CIPS qualification or working towards it is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support competitive tender processes from market engagement to contract award.
• Prepare tender documentation, evaluation criteria and commercial analyses.
• Review supplier proposals, pricing structures and contractual compliance.
• Lead or support technical and commercial negotiations with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Draft and administer contracts and purchasing agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance and support contract management activities.
• Assist with risk management, dispute resolution and commercial governance.
• Work with internal stakeholders to deliver procurement outcomes.
• Provide regular progress updates to senior procurement colleagues.

Skills

Procurement

Tender management

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

ERP systems

Education

CIPS qualification or studying

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Role: Buyer

Salary: £40,000 - £42,000 + comprehensive benefits package

Location: Kent (hybrid working available following induction period)

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Buyer to join a successful and established organisation operating within a complex technical environment. This role offers exposure to high-value procurement activity, major projects and a broad range of spend categories, and would suit a procurement professional who is comfortable managing tender processes, commercial negotiations and stakeholder engagement with a good degree of autonomy.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting competitive tender processes from market engagement through to contract award
• Preparing tender documentation, evaluation criteria and commercial analyses
• Reviewing supplier proposals, pricing structures and contractual compliance
• Leading or supporting technical and commercial negotiations with suppliers and stakeholders
• Drafting and administering contracts and purchasing agreements
• Monitoring supplier performance and supporting contract management activities
• Assisting with risk management, dispute resolution and commercial governance
• Working closely with internal stakeholders to deliver successful procurement outcomes
• Providing regular progress updates to senior procurement colleagues

Applicants should ideally possess:

• A background in procurement, purchasing or contract management
• Exposure to complex operational, technical or project-based environments
• Proven involvement in end-to-end tender processes, from market engagement through to contract award
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness, including contract review and negotiation
• The ability to build effective relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good working knowledge of ERP, purchasing or procurement systems
• CIPS qualified or currently working towards a CIPS qualification an advantage

A highly competitive benefits package includes:

• Performance-related incentive opportunities
• Generous employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Employee discount platform
• Hybrid working arrangements following the initial induction period
• Enhanced annual leave entitlement
• Ongoing training and development opportunities