Buyer

Company description:

Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

Job description:

Buyer

Salary & Benefits (5a): £27,511 - £34,280 + up to 10% pension with 5% contribution + annual bonus + retail savings schemes + online GP access + free on-site parking + 25 days holiday + 1 wellbeing day + bank holidays 

Location: Buttershaw, Western House, hybrid working 1-3 office days per week

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday. 

 
We have an exciting opportunity for a Buyer to join the Commercial Services Department at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you? 

 
What we do: 
 

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. 
We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.
 

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Commercial Services are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.
Our Commercial Services department sits within our wider Finance directorate and supports Yorkshire Water Services Limited by managing our supply chain to seek best value whilst managing risk. 
 

The Buyer will lead the procurement of portfolio of goods and services at non-UCR 16 threshold level. Working independently or as part of a project team the Buyer will lead and support the required sourcing activity and will ensure robust contracts are in place which are aligned to the delivery of wider business goals. The Buyer will seek to improve value outcomes for YW through negotiations, either on an existing quote or by seeking new.

Where you fit in: 
As our Buyer you will:

• Act as a Procurement representative of Yorkshire Water, communicating effectively and professionally across all levels of the business and its associated supply chains.
• Establish strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to maximise engagement and support.
• Support and challenge stakeholders to define procurement needs that align with current and future business demands, whilst ensuring the solution provided addresses wider business requirements.
• Undertake basic financial analysis to inform historic expenditure, off contract expenditure, budgets, and future demands.
• Identify and deliver short to medium term Sourcing Solutions that manage/mitigate supply chain and contractual risk on behalf of the business. 
• Prepare and present for approval sub-UCR 16 threshold contract and commercial recommendations.
• Provide advice, guidance, and support to the business to drive compliance and enhance commercial awareness across the Kelda group.

 
What skills & qualifications you will need: 

• Analytical Thinking – Demonstrate ability to analyse data sets and develop Procurement Plans that mitigate risks and deliver value.
• Communication – Demonstrate ability to utilise a variety of communication skills & tools in order to effect a desired outcome.
• Negotiation – Demonstrable ability to effectively resolve dispute efficiently throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Commercial Acumen – Commercial focussed with proven track record of delivering value.
• An awareness of the implications of relevant legislation in Procurement, coupled with an understanding of tendering process.
• Application of the use of the Microsoft Suite.
• Strong Team Player.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced working environment.
 
 
You will also benefit from having: 

• CIPS Qualification
• SAP, Ariba experience desirable or the ability to learn new systems.
• Ability to interpret complex data sets.

We embrace a flexible working model, where our hybrid setup typically requires an average of 1-3 days in the office per week. This could be slightly more when collaborative efforts, training or meeting deadlines demand it. For those who prefer to work on-site, our office is open Monday-Friday during working hours.

 
If you’re an experienced Buyer or Procurement professional and want to help us deliver exceptional service for our customers whilst protecting the environment, then apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer for you. 

We are proud to serve the Yorkshire region and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds to apply.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. 

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.