Senior Buyer - Operational Services

SF Partners; Coventry; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

SF Partners in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to lead the Operational Services category across utilities and infrastructure. You will own end-to-end strategic sourcing, supplier relationships and procurement projects.

You will collaborate with stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies and deliver value for money while managing contractual risk and driving supplier performance across contracts.

Qualifications

• Experience in senior buyer or category buyer roles within procurement.
• Proven ability to manage high-value sourcing and tendering activities.
• Experience developing category sourcing strategies and delivering value.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver category strategies and procurement plans aligned with business requirements.
• Manage end-to-end sourcing from market engagement to tendering, evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing and terms to deliver value for money while managing risk.

Skills

Senior Buyer experience

Category management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Supplier relationship management

Commercial awareness

Education

MCIPS qualification or study in progress

Job description

The Opportunity

We are recruiting for an experienced Senior Buyer to join an established organisation operating within the utilities and infrastructure sector.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional to take ownership of the Operational Services category, managing strategic sourcing activities, supplier relationships and procurement projects.

You will work closely with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements, develop effective sourcing strategies and deliver commercially competitive procurement solutions.

The successful candidate will play an important role in ensuring value for money, managing contractual risks and improving supplier performance across a portfolio of operational services contracts.

Key Responsibilities

Category Management & Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and deliver category strategies and procurement plans aligned with business requirements.
• Manage the end-to-end sourcing process, from initial market engagement through tendering, evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Conduct supplier research and market analysis to identify opportunities, emerging trends and potential contractual risks.
• Develop sourcing strategies that deliver commercial value, improve service quality and reduce business risk.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, improved efficiencies and continuous improvement.
• Manage a procurement portfolio influencing approximately £20 million of annual spend.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and maintain strong, effective relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Develop commercial agreements that meet operational requirements and deliver value for money.
• Negotiate supplier contracts, pricing, commercial terms and service agreements.
• Ensure contracts comply with organisational policies, legal requirements and risk management frameworks.
• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities to improve contractual outcomes.
• Support effective contract management throughout the agreement lifecycle.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with internal departments to understand operational requirements and procurement priorities.
• Engage with stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Commercial, Legal, Finance, IT and Health & Safety.
• Challenge existing requirements where appropriate to identify more efficient and commercially effective solutions.
• Communicate sourcing recommendations and procurement decisions clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal teams and external suppliers.

Procurement Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure procurement activities comply with relevant policies, legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Support competitive and compliant tendering processes.
• Use procurement data and commercial analysis to inform sourcing decisions.
• Identify and implement improvements to procurement procedures and supplier management practices.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and contract documentation.
• Promote procurement best practices across the organisation.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in a Senior Buyer, Category Buyer, Procurement Specialist or similar procurement position.
• Strong experience managing complex, high-value sourcing and tendering activities.
• Experience developing and implementing category sourcing strategies.
• Excellent commercial awareness, cost management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and negotiate contractual agreements.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and present procurement data.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders across operational and technical departments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence leading supplier meetings, commercial discussions and negotiations.
• Experience identifying procurement process improvements and commercial efficiencies.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• MCIPS qualified or actively working towards MCIPS.
• Previous procurement experience within utilities, infrastructure or another regulated environment.
• Understanding of UK and utilities procurement regulations.
• Experience managing competitive and compliant tender processes.
• Knowledge of contract management, supplier risk and procurement governance.
• Experience sourcing operational services or technically complex service agreements.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a commercially astute, proactive and relationship-focused Senior Buyer who can take ownership of significant procurement activities and deliver measurable commercial improvements.

You will be confident engaging with senior stakeholders, challenging existing procurement practices and developing sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, service and contractual risk.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong commercial judgement and negotiation skills.
• A strategic approach to sourcing and category management.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and supplier relationship management.
• Confidence working independently and managing competing priorities.
• A structured and analytical approach to procurement.
• A commitment to delivering value, compliance and continuous improvement.

Why Apply?

• Join an established organisation within the utilities and infrastructure sector.
• Take ownership of a significant Operational Services procurement portfolio.
• Influence approximately £20m in annual procurement expenditure.
• Work alongside senior stakeholders across multiple business functions.
• Lead complex sourcing activities and commercial negotiations.
• Contribute to the development of procurement strategies and improved supplier performance.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Buyer looking to develop their career within a commercially focused and regulated procurement environment