Graduate Indirect Buyer

We have an exciting opportunity for a Graduate Indirect Buyer to join our Indirect Procurement team based within Birmingham reporting to the Global IT Category Manager. As the Graduate Indirect Buyer you will provide procurement subject matter expertise to support the development and implementation of global and regional category strategies that deliver sustainable competitive advantage.

You will work closely with stakeholders to define optimal product and service specifications support Category Managers in designing and executing strategies aligned with business needs and drive effective sourcing and spend management across supported categories. The role is key in minimising risk applying bestinclass procurement practices managing contracts and reporting performance against agreed KPIs.

You will analyse spend and market insights to ensure category strategies remain relevant and will champion the value of Indirect Procurement across the organisation. The position supports Indirect Categories including IT & Telecoms (technology products hardware software telecoms and IT services) and HR & Professional Services (HRrelated services consultancy and wider professional services).

This role is based from our Birmingham site working Monday to Friday normal office hours.

As part of your progression and learning and development there may be the opportunity for you to gain your CIPS qualifications.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Support Category Managers in developing communicating and delivering category strategies.
• Identify evaluate and select suppliers based on cost quality reliability sustainability and compliance.
• Build strong collaborative supplier relationships to enable longterm value and continuous improvement.

Cost & Value Management

• Negotiate pricing terms delivery schedules and contracts to maximise value.
• Analyse spend and drive costreduction opportunities through improved pricing alternative sourcing and process efficiencies.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including financial geopolitical and environmental factors.
• Ensure procurement activities align with legal regulatory ethical and internal company policies.

Operational Excellence

• Support operational and transactional procurement activities across categories.
• Streamline processes to reduce cycle times and eliminate inefficiencies.
• Utilise procurement and S2P systems to enhance data accuracy compliance and decisionmaking.

Performance Measurement & Reporting

• Define track and report key procurement KPIs.
• Provide regular insights on savings delivery supplier performance and market trends.

Sustainability & ESG

• Support sustainability and ESG planning forecasting and performance tracking.
• Conduct reviews of sustainability initiatives (e.g. Ecovadis) and assess alignment to strategic goals.
• Support Net Zero programmes CAPEX/OPEX validation and supplier audits.
• Provide guidance and coaching on sustainabilityrelated tradeoffs and programme delivery.

Organisational Capability & Internal Controls

• Partner with shared services/back office teams to strengthen procurement processes data and analytics.
• Ensure strong financial and nonfinancial controls and adherence to all sustainability procurement and compliance policies.

Cultural Leadership

• Act as a role model for indirect procurement and supplier sustainability.
• Help communicate the transformation vision and champion cultural change.
• Engage and educate stakeholders promoting commercial environmental and social value.

Qualifications :

Qualifications/Experience - 

• Degree required in a relevant field such as Procurement or equivalent yearinindustry experience.
• Strong understanding of the value created by an integrated sustainability and indirect procurement function and how key suppliers and partners form part of the wider enterprise value stream.
• Proven experience engaging and influencing a broad range of stakeholders across multiple businesses and functions building strong strategic relationships.
• Comfortable operating within large complex multicultural and matrixstructured organisations with the ability to manage ambiguity.
• Experience managing robust internal and external assurance requirements ensuring compliance and strong governance.
• Conscientious approach to supporting category strategy development supported by strong analytical skills and a passion for problemsolving.
• Excellent communication skills including clear written communication strong presentation abilities and the capability to convey complex information effectively.

Additional Information :

Diversity & Inclusion:

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin economic status disability age or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics where we celebrate support and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection Smiths Group nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation including but not limited to interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our careers website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin economic status disability age or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics where we celebrate support and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation including but not limited to interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our careers website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time