The Role

Unite Students has a great opportunity for a Senior Buyer, initially on an 8 month fixed-term contract, in our growing Procurement team to help support the implementation of our sourcing solution Oracle Fusion.

Reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager - Technology, this interesting and varied role will provide professional procurement advice and support across the Indirects category. Ensuring value for money through strategic sourcing and competitive tendering, driving category strategy and fostering effective supplier and operational relationships to optimise performance and minimise supply chain risk.

In addition to this, the role will support the subject matter expert (SME) lead for the implementation of Oracle Fusion, supporting with supplier comms and engagement, creation of supplier catalogues, punchouts and data cleansing. This will provide great experience in the challenges and requirements in implementing a new sourcing solution.

What You`ll Be Doing

• The sourcing and commercial support across IT, FM and any other significant operational category spend as required.
• Maintain excellent customer relationships with operational, project and support teams to enable fast problem solving and `one-team` mentality
• Undertake weighted tendering assessments for goods and services to achieve the best value for the least risk
• Working closely with Finance, IT, our systems integrator and suppliers to support Unite in preparing for implementation of a new ERP solution including reviewing and creating new supplier catalogues, punchouts, data cleansing and collation, supporting suppliers with the transition to a new system
• Provide expert contractual and commercial advice to the team and business stakeholders
• Actively contributing to the wider team goals, including our ESG goals, helping us achieve our responsible business practices.

What We`re Looking for in You

• Ability to build relationships and rapport regardless of individual or level
• A `customer-first` mindset to ensure the supply requirements of the business are fully understood
• Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication, able to influence stakeholders and suppliers alike and negotiate successfully
• Commercial skills: able to identify what is important and how it contributes to the success of our business and to that of our suppliers, delivering value through a variety of means
• Accountability: Able to prioritise work, meet deadlines and targets
• Analytical Skills: A curious individual, with strong problem solving skills and techniques. Ability to manage large sets of data with close attention to detail
• An understanding and experience of Catalogue Management and Category Management
• Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of Procurement processes, specifically Supplier Relationship Management and Contracts Management is desirable
• Motivation: Strong desire to learn and develop in the Procurement/Supply Chain areas

What You`ll Get in Return

• An annual bonus so you can share in the company`s success
• 25 days` paid holiday
• Pension - based on how much you save, we`ll contribute 1% more
• Flexible working opportunities
• Shared Parental Leave - 18 weeks full pay for birthing parent, 4 weeks for non-birthing parent
• Other benefits include, ShareSave, Bike to Work, Charity Match, amazing discounts and more!

About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK`s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn`t just what we do but who we are.

People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone

We`re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we`re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what`s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.

We are US.