Strategic Buyer

Location: Leeds, UK (Hybrid - 3 days per week on-site)
Business: Farnell
Employment Type: Full-Time

At Farnell, procurement is about more than purchasing goods and services. It's about creating value, driving efficiency, managing risk and enabling business success.

We're looking for a commercially focused Strategic Buyer to join our Procurement team and lead sourcing activities across a diverse range of indirect spend categories. This is an exciting opportunity to work on high-value, business-critical projects, partnering with stakeholders across the organisation to identify opportunities, deliver cost savings and continuously improve how we engage with suppliers.

If you enjoy negotiating complex agreements, influencing stakeholders and leading strategic sourcing initiatives, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact within a global organisation.

What's in it for you?

• Opportunity to lead strategic sourcing projects that directly influence business performance.
• Exposure to a broad range of indirect spend categories and commercial challenges.
• A varied role with no fixed category ownership, providing continuous learning and development opportunities.
• The chance to work with stakeholders across local, regional and global teams.
• Involvement in high-value procurement projects and major supplier negotiations.
• Hybrid working model with 3 days per week on-site in Leeds.
• Career development opportunities, including support towards CIPS qualifications.
• A collaborative environment where your expertise and ideas are valued.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

What you'll be doing

• Lead strategic sourcing and procurement projects across a variety of indirect goods and services categories.
• Manage end-to-end tender processes, including supplier identification, RFx development, evaluation, negotiation and implementation.
• Take ownership of high-value procurement activity, typically above $100k, as well as strategically important projects.
• Deliver cost optimisation initiatives while balancing quality, service, risk and business requirements.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders to drive collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Analyse spend data, market trends and benchmarking information to identify sourcing opportunities and efficiencies.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and contracts that maximise value for the business.
• Support governance, compliance and procurement best practices across the organisation.
• Manage a pipeline of sourcing projects and ensure timely delivery against business priorities.
• Provide support, guidance and coaching to procurement colleagues on more complex sourcing activities.

What about you?

• Proven procurement experience, ideally gained within indirect sourcing, strategic buying or commercial procurement roles.
• Experience leading RFx activities, supplier evaluations, negotiations and contract management processes.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance cost, service, risk and stakeholder expectations.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data to support commercial decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, evolving and matrix environment.
• CIPS qualified, part-qualified or willing to work towards professional procurement qualifications.

Desirable Experience

• Experience across a range of indirect spend categories.
• Exposure to global or multinational business environments.
• Knowledge of procurement, sourcing and contract management systems.
• Experience supporting procurement transformation, supplier consolidation or process improvement initiatives.
• Experience mentoring or supporting less experienced procurement professionals.

Ready to Apply?

If you're a commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys solving problems, negotiating value and delivering strategic business outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the future of procurement at Farnell.

#LI-FARNELL

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.

Avnet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you are interested in applying for employment with Avnet and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position contact our Human Resources Service Center in your region: Americas applicants – [email protected], Asia applicants - [email protected], EMEA applicants - [email protected]. 

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