Lead Buyer

Lead Buyer

To £60,000 + bonuses + excellent benefitsSouth Kent (Hybrid working)

Are you ready to take the lead in a high-performing procurement team? This is an excellent opportunity to step into a hands-on, strategic role where you'll shape procurement activity across a diverse and complex spend portfolio.

We're supporting a major organisation with significant long-term investment plans. They are seeking experienced procurement professional to oversee a small team and drive excellence across sourcing, tendering, contracting, and supplier performance.

The Role

• Lead, coach and develop the procurement team, ensuring high standards of performance, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Plan and deliver multi-category procurement activity, including both recurring contracts and major projects.
• Own and run tender processes from strategy development through to award, ensuring best-value technical, financial, and contractual outcomes.
• Negotiate and secure contracts, managing variations, disputes and performance throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Engage internal stakeholders to understand requirements, influence decision-making, and ensure compliance with procurement, financial, and governance frameworks.
• Provide insightful reporting to senior management on progress, risks, performance and key commercial issues.
• Champion ethical, safe, compliant procurement practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the team.

About You

• Strong background in procurement within technical, commercial, or operationally complex environments.
• Experience managing or mentoring procurement staff and setting clear direction for a team.
• Excellent understanding of contract law, supplier management and tender governance.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills.
• Ability to balance hands-on delivery with longer-term strategic planning.
• Proficiency in SAP or similar procurement/ERP systems and Microsoft Office.
• A proactive, organised, solutions-focused mindset.
• Degree or professional qualification is desirable but not essential.

Benefits

• Salary up to £60,000
• Bonus schemes
• Share scheme options
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Life insurance
• Extensive retail, travel and leisure discount packages
• Hybrid working following onboarding (3 days office, 2 days WFH)
• 36 days holiday (includes bank holidays)

If you're a confident procurement leader who thrives in a fast-paced, project-driven environment and you're passionate about developing others, we'd love to hear from you.