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Buyer

Location: This is a hybrid role, with occasional travel to our Hook and Solihull offices, as well as visits to stakeholder and supplier locations when required.

Salary: £32,000 to £38,000

Join Serco and help shape smarter procurement solutions

At Serco, procurement is more than purchasing. It is about creating value, driving operational excellence, managing risk, and building strong supplier partnerships that support critical services. We are looking for a motivated and commercially aware Buyer to join our Sourcing & Category Management team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional looking to develop their career within a global organisation, gaining exposure to strategic sourcing projects, supplier management, contract negotiations, and category management activities.

About the Role

As a Buyer within our Hard FM Procurement team, you will provide procurement and sourcing expertise to support the effective management of Serco's supply base and spend portfolio. Working closely with Category Managers, stakeholders, and suppliers, you will help deliver sourcing projects, secure value-for-money outcomes, and ensure procurement activities are aligned with business objectives and governance requirements.

You will primarily work within the Hard FM category while also supporting wider procurement initiatives across the business when required.

What You'll Be Doing

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and delivering tactical procurement and sourcing projects valued up to £250k
• Supporting Category Managers and Senior Buyers on larger, more complex procurement programmes
• Reviewing business requirements and helping determine the most effective sourcing strategies
• Driving compliance with preferred supplier arrangements and procurement policies
• Conducting market research, supplier sourcing, due diligence, and supplier qualification activities
• Developing and managing RFx processes, including documentation, evaluation models, bidder communications, assessments, and shortlisting
• Supporting supplier negotiations to achieve the best commercial outcomes
• Assisting with contract drafting, approvals, and execution using standard templates and procurement legal toolkits
• Maintaining procurement governance documentation, reporting, savings tracking, and pipeline management
• Ensuring supplier, contract, and catalogue information is accurately maintained within procurement systems
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers
• Supporting value delivery, performance improvement, and risk management across the supply base

What We're Looking For

We're interested in candidates who combine strong organisational skills with commercial awareness and a passion for building a career in procurement.

You will ideally have:

• Degree-level education, preferably in Business or a related discipline, or be CIPS qualified / working towards CIPS qualification
• Minimum two years' experience in a sourcing, procurement, or buying role
• Knowledge of sourcing methodologies and contract lifecycle management
• Experience using eSourcing platforms to manage procurement events
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• A proactive, self-starting approach with a focus on continuous improvement
• Confidence working both independently and collaboratively
• Good Microsoft Office skills and the ability to quickly learn new systems, including Power BI and procurement platforms

Desirable Experience

• Ability to multi-task, prioritise and manage a high workload
• Experience drafting and reviewing contracts using standard templates
• Exposure to supplier negotiations and contract management

Why Join Serco?

At Serco, you'll be part of a team that delivers meaningful impact across essential services. We offer opportunities to develop professionally, gain exposure to complex procurement environments, and work alongside experienced category and sourcing professionals who are committed to excellence and continuous improvement.

Whether you're looking to build your procurement expertise or take the next step in your sourcing career, this role offers the chance to contribute to high-profile projects while developing valuable commercial and strategic procurement skills.

Apply today and help us deliver better value, stronger supplier partnerships, and smarter procurement solutions across Serco.

Benefits

• Pension 6% employer matched
• Annual leave 25 days + bank holidays
• Life assurance 2x base salary if in pension, (1x if not)
• Flexible working to support work-life balance

Other notable benefits:

• Employee Assistance Programme
• 30% Serco Leisure Centre Discount
• Option to buy additional leave
• Charitable payroll giving
• A wide range of discounts

A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com.

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.