Hire Controller- Procurement

OCS; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Glassdoor award

Digital learning resources

Wagestream access

Discounts via Hapi app

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is recruiting a Hire Controller to manage all equipment hiring for Hard Services, reporting spend to our supplier and driving improved value. This role sits with our Projects Procurement function, working with our Operations team to ensure equipment is effectively managed and allocated.

You should bring experience in hire procurement or customer service, with a standards‑driven, data‑driven approach and a collaborative, problem‑solving mindset.

Qualifications

• Experience in hire equipment purchasing or procurement.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Operational and tactical supply chain experience, able to react quickly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, data-driven approach.
• Ability to build relationships with suppliers and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Purchase and manage all equipment hiring for Hard Services.
• Monitor spend leakage and report to supplier to improve offering.
• Collaborate with Projects Operations to ensure effective equipment management.
• Provide data back to stakeholders on spend and opportunities for growth.
• Contribute to process improvements and service levels.

Skills

Hire equipment

Purchasing administration

Influencing skills

Supply chain experience

Negotiation

Communication skills

Problem solving

Supplier management

Team collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Job description

About The Role

Days of Working: Monday to Friday

Reporting to the Projects Procurement Manager, the Hire Controller will manage all hiring of equipment for Hard Services at OCS - managing spend leakage and reporting back to our sole supplier to increase their offering. Working alongside our Projects Operations team to ensure the equipment is managed effectively.

Reporting & maintaining data back to the business and stakeholders of how our Hire spend is being managed and looking for opportunities to grow the account. This would be a fantastic opportunity for individuals from a customer service environment, ideally with industry experience, who would like to see and feel the impact of their work in a hands‑on, highly operational, service‑focused business.

Key Responsibilities

• Proven experience in a Purchasing Customer Service role, preferably handling in-bound order enquiries where you have used your skills and experience to successfully complete transactions and satisfy internal customers
• Previous experience in the hire or construction industry would be advantageous but not essential
• Experience in developing and utilising product knowledge, eager to understand our product range and the wider OCS business
• Exceptional communication skills including negotiating and influencing. You’ll have the ability to engage and build relationships with both internal and external customers
• Comfortable using your own judgement and initiative to make decisions in line with our company policies
• An effective team member with a highly supportive, collaborative approach
• A flexible and adaptable approach, you’ll enjoy a varied workday in a fast‑paced operational environment where you’ll manage multiple tasks, deadlines and targets whilst maintaining high standards of accuracy
• A commitment to continuous improvement, puts forward and acts on suggestions to improve processes and service levels
• A good level of computer literacy in MS Office packages.

General

• Avoid conflict of interests between personal interests and the interests of the UK & Ireland group.
• Exercise independent judgement, reasonable care, skill and diligence when carrying out their duties.
• Act in good faith and promote the long‑term success of each company within the UK & Ireland group for the benefit of all members and wider stakeholders.
• Adhere to and promote the UK & Ireland group’s policies on equality & diversity, information security, health and safety and data protection in the performance of their duties and the management of the departmental functions reporting into them.
• Support and promote the UK & Ireland group’s sustainability plans and policies, including the Carbon Management Plan, and carry out duties in a resource effective way, recognizing the shared responsibility of minimising negative environmental impacts wherever possible.

Essential

• Previous experience in Hire equipment
• Purchasing administration
• Strong influencing skills
• Operational and tactical supply chain experience, ability to be reactive
• Being a fixer by nature
• Results driven with a flair for negotiation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Data focused, with a proven track record for generating ideas for cost reduction
• Demonstrable knowledge of owning supplier management and performance measurement
• A strong team player with the ability to work in a cross‑functional team
• Ability to build sustainable and productive relationships with suppliers
• Use data and market research to make recommendations for improvement

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award‑winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award‑Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.