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Lead Buyer

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United Utilities

1mo ago

  • Job
    Full-time
    Mid-level (3-4 years)
  • Liverpool, +12

AI generated summary

  • You must possess strong negotiation skills, experience in procurement, analytical thinking, and the ability to manage supplier relationships effectively.
  • You will manage procurement processes, negotiate contracts, analyze supplier performance, optimize purchasing strategies, ensure compliance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Requirements

  • Minimum of 3 years relevant experience
  • Knowledge of key category management processes, tools and methodologies used across the whole procurement life-cycle
  • Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders
  • Experience of working collaboratively with the business to support commercial proposals
  • Commercial negotiation and resolution skills
  • Chartered Membership of a relevant institution (e.g. Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply)
  • Working knowledge of Regulated procurement and contract law
  • CIPS qualified or relevant equivalent qualification or
  • Working towards CIPS qualification or relevant equivalent qualification

Responsibilities

  • To support the development of category plans and sourcing strategies for categories of spend across functional and organisation boundaries ensuring optimum value for money for UU.
  • Engage with stakeholders to support the alignment of business strategy and policy to support the delivery of category plans.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance including but not limited to the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016.
  • Ensure contractual compliance and proactively manage supplier performance across a specific portfolio of Contracts / Agreements.
  • Act as first point of contact for queries within the category and provide general advice and support.
  • To provide procurement, project and administration support across the Commercial Directorate.
  • Support the management of supplier contracts / Agreements and service level agreements to ensure reduced risk to UU.
  • Manage conflicting business priorities.
  • Provide support and timely escalation to the Category Manager.
  • Proactively support the management and mitigation of commercial risks.
  • Provide commercial expertise and guidance.
  • Ensure collaborative working across the Commercial, Engineering and Capital Delivery directorate.
  • Support the development and maintenance of:
  • Business need and opportunity analysis.
  • Market analysis.
  • Contract strategies.
  • Responsible for creation and quality assurance of sourcing documents.
  • Evaluation to award.
  • Implementation of contracts/framework agreements.
  • Maintain effective management of contracts/framework agreement.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the Lead Buyer position?

The main purpose of the Lead Buyer position is to support the successful delivery of the AMP8 procurement programme by collaborating with Category Managers, Buyers, and various stakeholders to procure and oversee goods, works, and service agreements while influencing business change and improvements.

What are the key accountabilities of a Lead Buyer?

Key accountabilities include developing category plans and sourcing strategies, ensuring regulatory and contractual compliance, managing supplier performance, supporting stakeholder engagement, providing procurement support, and mitigating commercial risks.

What experience is required for the Lead Buyer role?

A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in procurement is required, along with knowledge of category management processes and the procurement life-cycle.

What qualifications or certifications are preferred for this position?

The desirable criteria include Chartered Membership of a relevant institution (e.g., Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply), a working knowledge of regulated procurement and contract law, and preferably being CIPS qualified or working towards a CIPS qualification.

Who will the Lead Buyer work with in their role?

The Lead Buyer will work closely with Category Managers, Buyers, the wider Commercial team, operational stakeholders, and external stakeholders to achieve procurement objectives.

What skills are essential for the Lead Buyer position?

Essential skills include effective communication, commercial negotiation, problem resolution, and the ability to work collaboratively with different stakeholders to support commercial proposals.

How does the Lead Buyer contribute to risk management?

The Lead Buyer proactively supports the management and mitigation of commercial risks by ensuring compliance, managing supplier contracts, and collaborating across departments to align with business strategies.

What is the role of the Lead Buyer in supplier management?

The Lead Buyer is responsible for managing supplier contracts, ensuring performance meets expectations, and acting as the first point of contact for queries within the category.

What are the main tools and methodologies that a Lead Buyer needs to be familiar with?

A Lead Buyer needs to be familiar with key category management processes, tools, and methodologies used throughout the procurement life-cycle.

What are the chances for career progression from the Lead Buyer role?

The Lead Buyer role can provide a pathway to more senior positions within procurement and commercial management, especially with the experience and skills gained in this role.

How does the Lead Buyer ensure value for money for UU?

The Lead Buyer supports the development of category plans and sourcing strategies, engages with stakeholders for alignment, and is responsible for evaluating and awarding contracts to ensure optimum value for money.

United Utilities

Keep up to date with the latest news from across United Utilities

Energy
Industry
5001-10,000
Employees
1995
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

United Utilities provides water and wastewater services to around seven million people in the North West of England supplying 3million households and 200,000 business premises. We manage the catchment land around our reservoirs to safeguard the quality of the raw water we collect and store. We then treat and deliver it to our customer's taps - around 1,500 million litres a day We also collect wastewater from our customers and surface water from roads and highways, treat it at our wastewater treatment works before returning it back safely to the environment. In order to do this we have: - 184 reservoirs - over 42,000 km of water pipes, from Cumbria to Cheshire - over 72,000 km of sewers - over 1,400 km of aqueducts - 100 water treatment works - 575 wastewater treatment works - 57,000 hectares of catchment land