Senior Buyer

MAG (Airports Group); Wythenshawe; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% Bonus Scheme

Flexible pension plan (up to 8%)

Free parking

Subsidised public transport

Employee discounts

Volunteering days

Virtual GP service

Job summary

MAG is hiring a Senior Buyer to join the Group Procurement & Contracts team at Manchester Airport. The role focuses on managing and optimising MAG's technology spend, including software, SaaS, cloud services and large transformation projects across airports and corporate functions.

You will collaborate with Technology, Finance, Legal and Operations to develop sourcing strategies, lead complex procurements and deliver measurable commercial value while supporting group-wide transformation

Qualifications

• Significant procurement experience with a focus on technology, software, SaaS, cloud services or IT spend.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement activities across a broad technology portfolio.
• Develop and implement procurement and category strategies that align with business objectives.
• Manage competitive tendering processes, supplier selection exercises and negotiations.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders across MAG to influence commercial decisions.
• Deliver savings, cost avoidance and other measurable commercial benefits across technology spend.
• Monitor technology markets to identify opportunities and emerging suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and MAG governance.
• Support contract management, risk mitigation and continuous improvement across suppliers.
• Contribute to wider procurement projects and cross-team support.

Skills

Technology procurement

SaaS procurement

Negotiations

Stakeholder management

Cost savings

Tools

MCIPS

Job description

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Permanent, Full-time
Location: Manchester Airport (Hybrid working: 3 days per week in the office)

Summary

Based at Manchester Airport

Hybrid working model with 3 days per week in the office

Competitive salary plus 15% bonus

Opportunity to shape and influence technology procurement across one of the UK's largest airport groups

About MAG

At MAG we provide the airport facilities and travel services that people need to connect with the world. As the largest UK-owned airport operator, we serve over 60 million passengers a year from Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. With over 270 destinations across the globe, our businesses not only bring people together but also support the prosperity of the regions in which we operate.

Sustainability is one of our core values, and it shapes everything we do. We're committed to protecting the environment and supporting our local communities. Our programmes include airport and airline decarbonisation, comprehensive education, skills and employment support, and community engagement initiatives including volunteering opportunities.

At MAG, we recognise creating a first-class journey for our customers starts by creating a first-class career journey for our colleagues, and we are committed to building inclusive environments in which our people can thrive.

You'll also have access to some great benefits including:

• 15% Bonus Scheme
• Flexible and generous company pension plan with various company contribution options (up to 8%)
• Free parking
• Subsidised public transport
• Huge range of company discounts
• 2 volunteering days per year
• Free Virtual GP service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Care Concierge service

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced technology procurement professional to join our Group Procurement & Contracts team as a Senior Buyer.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing and optimising MAG's technology spend, covering everything from enterprise software, SaaS platforms and cloud services through to major technology transformation projects that support our airports, corporate functions and the wider business.

Working within a highly collaborative procurement team, you'll partner closely with stakeholders across Technology, Finance, Legal and Operations to develop sourcing strategies, lead complex procurement activities and deliver measurable commercial value. You'll have ownership of a significant technology portfolio, helping to drive cost efficiencies, manage supplier performance and support strategic business initiatives.

This role offers exceptional variety. One day you could be leading negotiations for a major software agreement, and the next supporting projects that impact airport operations, customer experience or critical infrastructure. You'll also have opportunity to contribute to Procurement Act compliance, supplier strategy development and group-wide transformation programmes, including spend across MAG and CAVU.

Joining MAG at a time when procurement is playing a highly visible role in delivering business savings and value creation, you'll have the chance to make a genuine impact while working alongside a supportive, down-to-earth team that values collaboration over ego.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement activities across a broad technology portfolio, including software, SaaS, cloud services, technology platforms and associated professional services.
• Develop and implement procurement and category strategies that align with business objectives and deliver long-term value.
• Manage competitive tendering processes, supplier selection exercises and commercial negotiations.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across MAG to understand requirements and influence commercial decision-making.
• Deliver savings, cost avoidance initiatives and other measurable commercial benefits across technology spend.
• Manage supplier performance and relationships, ensuring service, commercial and operational objectives are achieved.
• Monitor technology markets and industry trends to identify opportunities, innovations and emerging suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and MAG's procurement governance framework.
• Support contract management activities, risk mitigation and continuous improvement initiatives across the supplier base.
• Contribute to wider procurement projects and support other category teams where required.

What Will Make You Successful

• Significant procurement experience with a strong focus on technology, software, SaaS, cloud services or IT-related spend categories.
• Experience leading complex sourcing exercises and commercial negotiations in a category-managed environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge at all levels of the organisation.
• A commercially minded approach, with a proven track record of delivering savings, value creation and supplier optimisation initiatives.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and driving performance through robust contract and supplier management practices.
• Strong understanding of procurement best practice and commercial governance.
• Knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 would be advantageous, although not essential.
• MCIPS qualified or working towards MCIPS, or equivalent procurement experience.
• A collaborative and pragmatic approach, with the ability to build trusted relationships across teams and suppliers.
• Strategic thinker who can balance immediate business requirements with longer-term commercial objectives.

Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments

We're building something brilliant at MAG: a diverse team of Journey Makers who share our values and want to make a difference. We're on a mission to be number one in our industry, and that takes talent in all its forms. With so many exciting roles across our airports and businesses, there's space for your unique strengths to shine.

Whether this is your first role with us or your next big career move, we want to hear from you, even if you don't think you meet every requirement. What matters most is what you bring.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know. We're committed to helping you perform at your best.

At MAG, every journey matters. Our Colleague Communities play a big part in that: Women's Network, Embrace (Race & Ethnicity), Fly with Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mind Matters (Mental Health), PACT (Parents & Carers), RespectABILITY (Disability & Neurodiversity), and the CAVU Global ID&E Affinity Group.