Unite Students has an amazing opportunity for a Senior Buyer in our growing Procurement team.
Reporting to the Head of FM Procurement, the role will provide professional procurement advice and support across the areas of Soft FM, small capex and Business Services (Office, Travel etc). Ensuring value for money through strategic sourcing and competitive tendering, driving category strategy and fostering effective supplier and operational relationships to optimise performance and minimise supply chain risk.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Create a category plan in support of the company’s procurement transformation plan.
* Focus on operationally focussed services such as waste collection & security services, high volume goods provision (including white goods, fixed and loose furniture, mattresses, small electrical), operational spares and products including janitorial, stationery and uniform.
* Work closely with the Head of Procurement - FM to ensure supply chain efficiencies are harnessed.
* Maintain excellent customer relationships with operations and regional estates frontline and leadership teams to enable fast problem solving and a one‑team mentality.
* Maintain major contractual agreements and agree commercials, supporting our city team stakeholders.
* Formulate strategies across accountable categories in conjunction with key stakeholders.
* Manage sourcing processes (including tenders, RFQs, negotiations) for accountable categories.
* Provide expert contractual and commercial advice to the team and business stakeholders.
* Long‑term assessment of supply options and resilience planning.
* Actively contribute to the Unite Students ESG goals by listening to suppliers and developing sustainable procurement strategies.
* Demonstrate market expertise to enable innovation.
* Build relationships and rapport regardless of individual or level.
* Adopt a customer‑first mindset to ensure the supply requirements of the business are fully understood.
What We’re Looking for in You
* Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication, able to influence stakeholders and suppliers alike and negotiate successfully.
* Commercial skills: Identify what is important and how it contributes to the success of our business and of our suppliers, delivering value through a variety of means.
* Accountability: Prioritise work, meet deadlines and targets.
* Analytical Skills: Curiosity, strong problem‑solving skills and techniques, able to carry out analysis and draw out conclusions.
* Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of Procurement processes, specifically Supplier Relationship Management and Contracts Management, is desirable.
* Team/Customer Focus: Demonstrate customer‑first behaviour.
* Motivation: Strong desire to learn and develop in the Procurement/Supply Chain areas.
What You’ll Get in Return
* A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company’s success.
* 25 days’ paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service.
* A generous pension scheme – employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save.
* Various benefits to support health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with family and friends.
* Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non‑birthing parents.
* Lots of other great benefits such as an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more.
About Unite Students
Founded in 1991, Unite Students is the UK’s leading provider of purpose‑built student accommodation. We are in 23 leading university towns and cities, with 70,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.
Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy, healthy organisation, we must work hard to ensure inclusion isn’t just what we do but who we are.
People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.
Room for Everyone. We’re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we’re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong.
We are US.
Seniority Level
Not Applicable
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Purchasing and Supply Chain
Industries
Hospitality and Real Estate
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