Junior Buyer

£29,000 - £35,000

Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time

The Junior Buyer works closely with internal stakeholders to provide a comprehensive procurement service across a range of operational goods and services, ensuring business needs are met while delivering best value to Calor.

The role supports the Senior Buyer and Head of Procurement in delivering procurement value contribution across Calor and SHV Energy. The Junior Buyer is responsible for managing a defined, tactical portfolio of spend (approximately £15m+), covering standard procurement requirements within specific operational categories, including but not limited to MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) parts.

This role is suited to an individual with foundational procurement knowledge who is looking to develop their skills through on-the-job experience, tactical sourcing activity, and supplier negotiations.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Procurement & Sourcing Support

• Support the Senior Buyer in delivering procurement strategies focused on cost reduction, value creation, service continuity, quality, and risk mitigation.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify sourcing opportunities and clarify business requirements to effectively manage procurement spend.
• Run tactical sourcing activities with suppliers, ensuring fair, responsible, and compliant procurement practices.
• Support contract negotiations and coordinate agreement execution with Legal, as required.
• Assist with supplier performance management and continuous improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder & Operational Collaboration

• Work in strong collaboration with Material Planning and Production teams to ensure alignment between procurement activities and material requirements.
• Maintain effective communication with stakeholders, providing updates on delivery dates, changes, and potential issues.
• Actively build and maintain stakeholder relationships across business sites and functions.

Transactional & Systems Activities

• Execute procurement transactional activities, including:
• Creation and issuance of purchase orders
• Monitoring and follow-up on non-delivered purchase orders
• Managing price changes and supplier information updates
• Support supplier setup, master data maintenance, catalog management, and data stewardship activities to ensure system accuracy.
• Ensure procurement master data is properly maintained within ERP and sourcing systems for effective call-off.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Track KPIs, monitor order status, and support reporting requirements.
• Support the Procurement Manager in improving department efficiency by monitoring market dynamics, supply risks, and pricing trends.
• Contribute to team savings targets and other procurement value initiatives aligned with the Procurement Strategy.
• Undertake additional tasks and projects as required to support overall business objectives.

Key Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Educated to Bachelor’s degree level or CIPS qualified, or equivalent through 1+ years of procurement experience.
• Knowledge of procurement activities, including tactical sourcing, with demonstrable outcomes.
• Experience using procurement / ERP systems and processes, including purchase order creation.
• Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, able to engage with stakeholders at all levels.

Desirable

• Experience using SAP and/or Ariba.
• Experience with sourcing platforms such as Jaggaer.
• Experience tracking KPIs and managing order follow-up activities.

Key Success Profile Capabilities

• LEAD: Effectively manage procurement workload, purchase order creation, and follow-up while promoting continuous improvement.
• COMMUNICATE: Proactively manage stakeholder expectations and provide timely updates on deliveries and changes.
• DELIVER RESULTS: Support delivery of savings targets and tactical procurement goals.
• INNOVATE: Support development of supplier relationships to improve cost efficiency and service levels.
• SUPPORT: Act as a key team contributor, collaborating with Buyers and the Procurement Excellence team to deliver high-quality procurement support.

Additional Information

• Responsible for managing a tactical procurement portfolio within the Senior Buyer’s scope.
• Contribution to targeted savings and procurement value measures aggregated at team level.
• Active role in mitigating business risk through supplier development and relationship management.
• Ongoing development of procurement capability and stakeholder engagement across the business.

Does this sound like you?

You have a knack for managing supplier performance and driving procurement strategies that promote continuous improvement.

You're proactive in keeping stakeholders informed of strategic and tactical changes and play a vital role in helping your team achieve savings and meet strategic goals.

You're adept at developing supplier relationships that enhance cost efficiency and service levels.

You enjoy collaborating with other buyers and the Procurement Excellence team to support and streamline procurement activities.

In return we can offer you

• Performance & Company related bonus
• Private medical insurance
• 25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life Assurance of 4x salary
• Matched pension contributions of 4.5% rising to 7.5% after 2 years service
• Retailor discounts and many, many more!

For a full list of our benefits visit: https://www.calor.co.uk/about-us/careers