Buyer

OCU Group; Stockport; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

OCU Group in Stockport is seeking a proactive Buyer to support procurement activities across the business. You will help source goods and services cost-effectively, manage end-to-end procurement from requisition to PO, and build strong supplier relationships.

You will analyse spend, drive supplier performance and cost reductions, and assist with supply chain resilience by identifying risks and improvement opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Buyer or procurement role.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes and supplier management.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse data and identify cost and process improvements.
• Experience with ERP/e-procurement or spend analysis is desirable.
• CIPS qualification or working towards accreditation is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support strategic sourcing activities to deliver value and supplier performance improvements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Manage procurement processes, ensuring PO creation and policy compliance.
• Negotiate pricing, service agreements and low-value contracts to secure favourable terms.
• Monitor supplier performance, compliance and quality standards, driving improvements.
• Identify procurement risks and assist with mitigation and contingency plans.
• Analyse spend data and procurement trends to identify efficiencies and cost reductions.
• Promote ethical sourcing and supplier diversity.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

ERP / e-procurement

CIPS qualification

Job description

Buyer

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Stockport

Reporting To: Anthony Madden

Description

As a Buyer, you will support the delivery of procurement activities across the business, ensuring goods and services are sourced efficiently, cost-effectively and in line with company policies. Working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers, you will help drive value through strategic sourcing, supplier management and effective contract negotiation.

You will be responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement process, from requisition through to purchase order creation, maintaining strong supplier relationships and supporting initiatives to improve supplier performance, reduce costs and minimise risk. The role also involves analysing spend data, identifying opportunities for process improvements, and contributing to supply chain resilience and continuity planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Support strategic sourcing activities to deliver value, cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Manage procurement processes, ensuring accurate purchase order creation and compliance with policies and procedures.
• Negotiate pricing, service agreements and low-value contracts to secure favourable commercial outcomes.
• Monitor supplier performance, compliance and quality standards, driving continuous improvement where required.
• Identify procurement risks and support the implementation of mitigation and contingency plans.
• Analyse spend data and procurement trends to identify efficiencies and cost reduction opportunities.
• Promote supplier diversity and ethical sourcing practices.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Previous experience in a Buyer or procurement role.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, sourcing methodologies and supplier management.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse data and identify opportunities for cost and process improvements.
• Experience using ERP, e-procurement or spend analysis systems is desirable.
• CIPS qualification or working towards professional procurement accreditation would be advantageous.