Company Description
Smiths Group designs, manufactures and delivers smarter engineering solutions for mission-critical applications, solving some of the world's toughest problems for our customers, our communities and our world. For over 170 years, Smiths Group has been pioneering progress by improving the world through smarter engineering.
We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient and better-connected world, across four major global markets: Energy, General Industry, Security & Defence, and Aerospace. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs 14,600 colleagues in over 50+ countries.
This pioneering spirit continues to drive us today, underpinned by our powerful culture. Improving our world is what we do, how we think, and how we will continue to use our passion for technology and engineering to tackle our customers biggest challenges today and in the future. We're looking for people with curious minds. Who want responsibility and relish a challenge. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting out, our global scale and focus on growth means we have some great career opportunities for you. There's never been a better time to join Smiths.
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Job Description
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 best‑in‑class 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 (HR‑related 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 long‑term value and continuous improvement.
Cost & Value Management
* Negotiate pricing, terms, delivery schedules, and contracts to maximise value.
* Analyse spend and drive cost‑reduction 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 decision‑making.
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 sustainability‑related trade‑offs 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 non‑financial 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 year‑in‑industry 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 matrix‑structured 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 problem‑solving.
* 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 career's 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 career's website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)
1. Grade: 08
2. Employee Group: Permanent
3. Global Region: Europe