Senior Buyer - Technology (FTC)
Role OVO-View
Team: ProcurementSalary banding: £32,670 - £50,960Experience: Mid-levelWorking pattern:Full-TimeReporting to: Senior Technology Procurement ManagerSponsorship: Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.This role in 3 words: Business Partnering, Value recognition, OwnershipTop 3 qualities for this role: Curiosity, Communication, Drive
Where you’ll work:
At OVO, we understand that a one size fits all approach doesn’t work for everyone. That’s why we created the OVO Way of Flexibility.
We’re looking for someone ideally based in London, with 1 day in the office per week, where we have a dedicated space for collaboration, connection and teamwork. You’ll also have the flexibility to work from home.
Everyone belongs at OVO
At OVO, we are on a mission to solve one of humanity's biggest challenges, the climate crisis. And we know it takes all of us to change the world. That's why we need diverse people from all abilities, gender identities, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, life experiences and backgrounds to join us.
Teamworking for the planet
Everything we do here spins around Plan Zero. So, naturally, the team you’ll be joining plays a gigantic role in making that happen. Here’s how:
Working within OVO’s Procurement & Supplier Management Team (P&SM), which sits within the wider Finance organisation, our directive is to drive value from the supplier ecosystem. Buying goods or services is an essential part of OVO’s business, enabling us to deliver a whole range of products to our customers, from marketing campaigns to smart meters and everything in between.
The Procurement Team’s objectives are to drive favorable commercial benefits to support OVO’s financial and sustainability targets, get the procurement basics right, reduce risks, and drive compliance while allowing OVO to operate in an agile manner. We maintain knowledge of relevant supply markets, products, technologies, and trends, and continuously strive for improvements in cost, value, and innovation.
Additionally, we focus on the implementation and support of procurement systems and processes that facilitate the execution of opportunities, reduce risk, and improve compliance.
This role in a nutshell:
This is a fixed-term position until the end of 2024 supporting the Senior Procurement Manager with the sourcing of a wide range of indirect products and services within our Technology category.
You'll be responsible for delivering exceptional stakeholder management across a wide range of business stakeholders, both within Technology and anywhere else in OVO that Tech is sourced. Adopting a Category Management approach you will be supporting the development of category strategies which de-risk OVO from a commercial and brand perspective and drive maximum potential value for our investments.
Your key outcomes will be:
- Business partnering with operational stakeholders (i.e Heads of Departments and Managers)
- Contributing to the development of various category strategies (including but not limited to Software, Hardware, Professional Services, Data Services and Networks & Telco)
- Negotiating low-medium value supplier contracts
- Gathering and manipulating relevant data to build and keep updated a clear view of category spend and suppliers
- Contributing to savings strategies and opportunity analysis
- Liaising with supporting functions such as Legal and Finance, ensuring relevant budgets and legal terms are in place
- Educating OVO stakeholders on the procurement policy and process
- Maintaining Procurement systems used for contract management and eSourcing
- Supporting with the implementation of new procurement systems and process
- Supporting OVOs Plan Zero objectives
You’ll be a successful Senior Buyer at OVO if you have…
- MCIPS level 4 qualified (or working towards this) with at least 3 years experience in a similar role (desired)
- Able to pick up new processes, systems and ways of working quickly and effectively
- Good relationship management skills, able to build a trusting relationship both internally with stakeholders and externally with suppliers
- Great organisational skills and able to manage multiple tasks at one time
- Willingness to learn in a coachable manner
- Basic negotiation skills
- Able to effectively prioritise work loads balancing importance and urgency whilst managing stakeholder expectations
- Good presentation and communication skills
- Able to apply skills beyond the traditional functions of Procurement and to bring them to bear on a broad range of commercial issues
- IT literate (knowledge of Procurement systems desirable)
- Team-oriented and with a collaborative, pragmatic approach
- A foundational understanding of category management practices
- Exposure to energy and technology businesses (desirable)
Let’s talk about what’s in it for you
We’ll pay you between £32,670 and £50,960, depending on your specific skills and experience.
We keep our pay ranges broad on purpose to give us, and you, flexibility to match your experience to our zero carbon mission.
You’ll be eligible for an on-target bonus of 15%. We have one OVO bonus plan that focuses on the collective performance of our people to deliver our Plan Zero goal.
We also offer plenty of green benefits and progressive policies to help you feel like you belong at OVO…and there’s flex pay. It’s an extra 9% of your salary on top of your core pay to use as you like. You can take it as cash, add to your pension, or choose to spend it on a huge range of flex benefits. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer:
For starters, you’ll get 34 days of holiday (including bank holidays). For your healthWith benefits like a healthcare cash plan or private medical insurance depending on your career level, critical illness cover, life assurance, health assessments, and moreFor your wellbeingWith gym membership, gadget, travel and cyber insurance, workplace ISA, will writing services, DNA testing, dental insurance, and more For your lifestyle With extra holiday buying, discount dining, culture cards, tech loans, and supporting your favourite charities with give-as-you-earn donationsFor your home For your home Get up to £300 towards any OVO Energy plan , plus personal carbon offsetting and great discounts on smart thermostats and EV chargersFor your commute Nab a great deal on ultra-low emission car leasing, plus our cycle to work scheme and public transport season ticket loans Want to hear about our full range of flexible benefits and progressive people policies? Our People Team can tell you everything you need to know.
For your Belonging
To find better ways to support our people, we need to listen to each other’s experiences and find ways to build a truly inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of this, we have 8 Belonging Networks at OVO. Led by our people, for our people - so when you join OVO, you can play a part - big or small - with any of the Networks. It's up to you.
Oh, and one last thing...
We’d be thrilled if you tick off all our boxes, yet we also believe it’s just as important we tick off all of yours. And if you think you have most of what we’re looking for but not every single thing, go ahead and hit apply. We’d still love to hear from you!
If you have any additional requirements, there’s a space to let us know on the application form; we want to make the process as easy and comfortable for you as possible..