Buyer

About us

Salary - £48089
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working

The role

An exciting and rewarding career opportunity for a Buyer has arisen to support the successful delivery of United Utilities strategic procurements. As a Buyer, within the Strategic Procurement Team you will work closely with the Category Managers and Lead Buyers in supporting successful implementation of a large scale and complex procurements.

You will work closely with the wider Commercial team, operational stakeholders and external stakeholders to procure and oversee goods, works and service agreements as well as influencing business change and improvements.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring seamless collaboration and driving significant savings and benefits throughout the contract lifecycle. In joining us, you will have full exposure to the organisation, our major projects and our largest industry partners.

Key accountabilities

• 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 and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Ensure contractual compliance and proactively manage supplier performance across a specific portfolio of Contracts / Agreements.
• Act as a subject matter expert.
• Manage conflicting business priorities
• Provide support and timely escalation to the Category Manager
• Ensure commercial compliance
• 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

Skills & experience

• Working knowledge of Regulated procurement and contract law
• 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
• Commercial negotiation and resolution skills
• Relevant experience in End to End Procurement

This role may not be eligible for the visa sponsorship

Other

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• CIPS qualified or relevant equivalent qualification - relevant experience

Desirable Qualifications

• Chartered Membership of a relevant institution (e.g. Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply)

Compliance

Desirable

• Chartered Membership of a relevant institution (e.g. Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply)
• Working knowledge of regulated procurement and contract law

The Team

Our projects are designed to be environmentally and socially responsible and will offer you opportunities to learn and grow throughout the project cycle. As part of our team, you will benefit from a range of training and development programs, such as CIPS professional membership/chartered status, leadership coaching, professional accreditation and mentoring. We are here to support you in reaching your full potential and thriving in your career and beyond.

• The team has run the biggest and most strategic procurements in the last 4 years
• Small team of 5
• Fast Paced
• Dynamic
• Based in the office 3 days per week