IT Procurement Lead - #2141557

A leading organisation is seeking a Senior Buyer to join their Group Business Services team, focusing on Technology procurement. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape and deliver procurement strategies that directly impact business objectives across multiple corporate service functions. You will be at the heart of sourcing, contract management, and supplier optimisation for enterprise software, SaaS solutions, cloud services and technology platforms.

The organisation values flexibility, continuous learning, and a supportive team environment where your expertise will drive operational resilience and commercial value. If you are passionate about delivering best practice procurement, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, and contributing to technology transformation programmes, this is your chance to make a meaningful difference in a dynamic setting.

• You will play a key role in developing and implementing procurement strategies that align with senior stakeholders and organisational goals, ensuring value for money and robust contract management.
• The position offers exposure to high-value frameworks and supplier contracts, with responsibility for both capital and operating expenditure across diverse technology categories.
• Enjoy a collaborative workplace culture that encourages knowledge sharing, personal development, and flexible working opportunities within an inclusive team environment.

What you'll do:

As Senior Buyer - Technology Procurement, you will be responsible for shaping the future of technology sourcing within the organisation. Your day-to-day activities will involve collaborating closely with stakeholders across multiple business areas to develop tailored procurement strategies that maximise value for money. You will lead contract negotiations with suppliers of enterprise software, SaaS subscriptions, cloud services, technology platforms, and related professional services. By benchmarking supply markets and identifying new opportunities for innovation or cost optimisation, you will ensure the organisation remains ahead of industry trends. Your role also includes driving continuous improvement initiatives within supplier management processes while maintaining strict compliance with legislative requirements. Success in this position means consistently delivering savings, enhancing operational resilience through robust supplier partnerships, supporting cross-team projects when needed, and championing best practice contract management throughout the group.

• Develop, manage, and implement procurement strategies for the Technology category that support business needs while aligning with organisational objectives, values, vision, and goals.
• Engage proactively with internal stakeholders at all levels including Director and Senior Leadership Team to ensure effective delivery of contractual activity across the corporate services functions.
• Drive best practice contract management by optimising third-party technology contracts and suppliers covering enterprise software, SaaS solutions, cloud services, technology platforms, and professional services.
• Lead competitive tendering processes to secure high-quality suppliers through robust selection criteria and commercial negotiation techniques.
• Monitor supply markets to identify new suppliers and products; benchmark performance to ensure ongoing value realisation from technology investments.
• Promote continuous performance improvement with suppliers and internally so that Procurement & Contracts is recognised as a high-performing service function.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation such as the Procurement Act 2023 as well as internal policies and procedures throughout all procurement activities.
• Track savings and qualitative improvements following implementation of category strategies; drive cost effectiveness, quality enhancement, efficiency gains, and year-on-year savings.
• Support other Procurement Category teams as required potentially dedicating up to half your time to cross-functional collaboration within the wider procurement community.
• Manage supplier relationships through SLA/KPI performance monitoring; resolve disputes effectively while mitigating commercial risks.

What you bring:

Your proven track record in technology procurement will enable you to excel as Senior Buyer - Technology Procurement. You bring deep expertise in managing complex contracts across enterprise software, SaaS solutions, cloud services, and technology platforms. Your familiarity with EU procurement methodologies ensures compliance at every stage of the process while your commercial acumen drives value realisation from strategic investments. You possess exceptional interpersonal skills building trust-based relationships with stakeholders ranging from front-line leaders to senior executives and thrive in environments where collaboration is key. Your leadership qualities allow you not only to coach peers but also foster knowledge sharing within the wider buyer community. With a degree-level qualification (or equivalent) plus MCIPS credentials (or progress towards them), you are committed to ongoing professional development. Your dedication extends beyond individual achievement: you actively support cross-functional teams on communal projects while maintaining rigorous safety standards throughout your work.

• Demonstrable depth of procurement experience specifically covering Technology category or sub-category areas in a category- and contract-managed environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of EU procurement methodologies alongside practical application of Procurement Act 2023 legislation within various contracting models.
• Proven ability to manage complex contracts including dispute resolution; experience working with suppliers through SLA/KPI performance frameworks.
• Excellent networking skills combined with strong stakeholder engagement capabilities at all organisational levels from front-line leaders to senior executives.
• Commercial acumen paired with proactive approach to identifying cost-saving opportunities; adept at tracking benefits from implemented strategies.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience; MCIPS certification or actively working towards MCIPS is highly desirable.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates