Category Buyer (Brand, Marketing, Communications & Talent), Senior Associate

EY Studio+ Nederland; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global professional services firm is seeking a Procurement Team member to support stakeholders and deliver sourcing projects in Birmingham or Manchester. This role involves collaborating with senior colleagues and assisting with RFPs to maximize value for clients. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree, procurement experience, and strong communication skills. Join us to build a better working world.

Qualifications

• 5 years of procurement experience required.
• Experience in BMC and Talent procurement preferred.
• Strong communication skills in business English.

Responsibilities

• Support EY stakeholders as a procurement partner.
• Deliver sourcing projects for Tail Spend initiatives.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders for alignment.
• Build relationships and share category insights.
• Promote adherence to Global Policy.
• Assist with RFPs and commercial negotiations.
• Contribute to process improvements for sourcing.

Skills

Strong commercial acumen

Proven ability to deliver sourcing projects

Effective negotiation skills

Solid knowledge of BMC categories

Ability to build trust and drive change

Sound judgment and decision-making

Self-motivated and open to learning

Sourcing and procurement experience

Strong commercial skills

Ability to influence stakeholders

Experience executing online Rfx

Advanced English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related discipline

CPSM certification

Job description

At EY were all in to shape your future with confidence.

Well help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go.

Join EY and help to build a better working world.

The opportunity

The purpose of the global EY organization is to Build a better working world. The insights and services the organization provides help to drive long-term value for clients people and society and to build trust in the capital markets. An essential function under EY Business Enablement Supply Chain Services (SCS) is a global team with more than 600 professionals in over 35 countries supporting the EY organization across the globe. This structure helps enable knowledge-sharing across categories and regions streamlining efforts in seeking innovative suppliers that can provide exceptional client service to maximize SCSs value for the EY organization and the worlds supply chain.

A key component of SCS is Global Procurement whose purpose is to drive more significant synergies and value creation from sourcing to contract lifecycle management deliver exceptional client experiences and build more vital collaboration to manage Technology Talent and Brand Marketing and Communications (BMC) spend categories. We forge meaningful supplier relationships and strengthen supplier resilience to help EY maximize long-term value for its people clients and communities.

As a BMC and Talent Procurement Team member you will have the opportunity to work with a professional team of Procurement professionals in a global environment and work with colleagues on interesting source projects in the UK&I. Developing our people is key to deliver quality to our internal and external clients and is perfectly in line with our purpose of building a better working world.

This role will be based in our EY office in either Birmingham or Manchester. Suitable candidates must be eligible and willing to work from one of these locations.

Your key responsibilities

• Support EY stakeholders as a trusted procurement partner contributing to project delivery and customer service excellence while helping realize cost savings and contract value.
• Deliver sourcing projects for Tail Spend initiatives (typically $10K$50K) across both Brand Marketing and Communications (BMC) and Talent categories ensuring timely execution and policy compliance.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders and Global Procurement colleagues to align with category strategies that support EYs global objectives.
• Build relationships with key business stakeholders and share category insights through regular updates.
• Promote and facilitate adherence to Procurement and Supply Chain Global Policy and processes across project teams.
• Assist with Requests for Proposals (RFPs) including commercial negotiations and coordinate with Legal (GCO) Contract Management and other business partners.
• Contribute to process improvements through the use of Purchase Orders and AI tools to enhance sourcing efficiency and compliance.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of procurement strategies across diverse portfolios.
• Proven ability to deliver sourcing projects and ensure compliance with procurement processes.
• Effective negotiation and influencing skills to support alignment with senior stakeholders.
• Solid knowledge of BMC categories and familiarity with Talent procurement.
• Ability to build trust and drive change through stakeholder engagement.
• Sound judgment decision-making and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated with a positive attitude and openness to learning and change.
• Experience in sourcing and procurement ideally within BMC and Talent categories.
• Strong procurement and commercial skills to support category strategies.
• Ability to collaborate and influence stakeholders with a global mindset.
• Experience executing online Rfx and e-Auctions.
• Advanced English proficiency and ability to lead conversations independently.

Ideally you'll also have.

• A bachelor's degree in Business or a related discipline.
• CPSM certification (preferred).
• 5 years of procurement experience.
• Strong communication and presentation skills in business English.
• Experience working in global culturally diverse environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively virtually and independently.

Candidates must be eligible and willing to be based in our EY offices located in either Birmingham or Manchester.

What we look for

A proactive and adaptable individual who embraces change and is committed to delivering strategic value in a dynamic global environment.

What we offer you

At EY well develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. Well empower you in a flexible environment and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence Apply today.

To help create an equitable and inclusive experience during the recruitment process please inform us as soon as possible about any disability-related adjustments or accommodations you may need.

EY Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients people society and the planet while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data AI and advanced technology EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance consulting tax strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights a globally connected multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

Required Experience: Senior IC

Key Skills

Internal Control, Accounting And Auditing, Accounts Handling, General Services, Elevator, Brand

Employment Type: Full Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1