Procurement Manager / Category Manager

North builds stronger networks and creates smarter places. Our intelligent technology solutions and robust network infrastructures transform the way people, places, and organisations work. And we focus our expertise on working in three specialist sectors: public services, enterprise & data centres, and defence & justice.

Our people are industrious and inventive. We collaborate closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and challenges and take pride in delivering impactful solutions that make their environments better connected, simpler to manage, safer to be in, and more efficient to run.

The work we do at North is pioneering and fun. We build meaningfully, we think bigger, and we always advance. Our diverse range of customers and services make every day different. We always look at things from the customer’s point of view. Our values are know your craft, know your colleagues, know your customers and know how to connect.  At North, we know and value the power of connecting people, skills and technologies in new and exciting ways.

Role: Procurement Manager / Senior Buyer

Location: Hybrid (3 days in Office).

Contract: Full time (Permanent).

Location: Hillington (Braehead), Glasgow

Working as one of two Procurement Managers in the team, you will be reporting to the Commercial and Procurement Director.  You will be an experienced, self-starter and be able to work autonomously with the wider North business.  As a senior member of the team, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure across the contract lifecycle and to be involved in multiple categories of spend. 

Operating in a growing business, there will be a chance to participate in or lead business improvement initiatives involving colleagues from across the business. You will also help with the development of the junior buyers in the team and will take on line management responsibility. This is your chance to shape strategic sourcing decisions, helping drive innovation and efficiency; getting things done in a fast-paced environment.

Key Duties:

• Leading tendering processes and procurement initiatives
• Negotiating terms and conditions with suppliers
• Operating as a key member in the procurement team to assist development of junior buyers
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Helping drive supplier performance, using management information to review supplier accounts on a regular basis
• Delivering savings targets aligned with business goals
• Monitoring and adopting market trends and improving supplier capabilities
• Promoting procurement policy and governance compliance, understanding business objectives and risk profiles
• Providing regular management reports highlighting achievements, areas of improvement and market trends

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in managing procurement projects, including procurement of materials, & subcontractors
• Advanced Excel skills with analytical knowledge; essential to develop effective procurement strategies and perform cost analysis in indirect categories
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to run negotiations and then manage relationships with key suppliers.
• Contract knowledge enabling the identification and negotiation of key terms with suppliers
• Excellent negotiation skills, focused on cost savings and value creation across a variety of categories
• Sector knowledge with the ability to understand the health and safety and competency requirements to place on the supply chain (desirable)
• Ability to self-start and deliver projects independently while effectively managing relationships with internal stakeholders /external suppliers and the Procurement team members
• Excellent influencing skills, essential for navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and excellent time management skills
• CIPS certification level 4 (as a minimum) would be advantageous or working towards it.
• SAP user (desirable) but would expect candidate to be a skilled user of ERP systems.

COMPANY VALUES:

At North we embrace the following values:

• Know Your Craft: We strive for excellence in our work, continuously learning and adapting to stay at the forefront of our industry.
• Know Your Colleagues: We value collaboration, diversity, and mutual respect, fostering a workplace where everyone's contributions are recognized and celebrated.
• Know Your Customers: We are dedicated to understanding and exceeding our customers' expectations, delivering products/services that make a positive impact on their lives.
• Know How to Connect: Building meaningful connections is at the core of our success. We value open communication, teamwork, and relationships that go beyond the surface.

North rewards colleagues with a competitive market salary with an excellent benefits package and offers fantastic opportunities for progression throughout the company. Further details of the package on offer will be discussed at the application stage. North is an equals opportunity employer; we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. For further detail on the company and what it is like to work for North, please visit our website: North.tech