Assistant Buyer

Cadent Gas Ltd At Cadent we’re excited to be part of the future of UK energy We’ve got a clear roadmap that will drive our performance to the forefront of our industry and support the UK government in achieving its net zero targets by 2050. We’re making a difference through innovation and new ways of working. Together we’re shaping a cleaner, greener future for our 11 million customers whom we put at the heart of everything we do. We have an exciting, new opportunity for an Associate to join our Procurement and Supply Chain team. As an Associate Buyer you will be assisting in procurement operations supporting the Senior Buyer and / or Buyer in identifying future opportunities to drive commercial value through sourcing and ongoing contract management activities. With support you will also be responsible for the execution of sourcing (primarily mini tender and call off activity) and contract management activity, working with stakeholders to understand requirements and expedite those through the procurement and contract management processes You will also be the point of expertise for the transactional procurement processes providing support and guidance to ensure that the procurement systems operate effectively, data is up to date and issues are resolved and assist in the development and delivery of portfolio and sourcing strategies for contracts up to an agreed value. Additionally you will also review contract payments and claims in line with contract terms and undertake benchmarking to ensure Cadent’s arrangements and Contractor costs remain competitive. What you'll get to work on: Supporting the profiling of supply chains through supplier research and market trends to assess future contract risks and opportunities Enabling value by supporting and leading aspect of tendering process, in order to meet Cadent’s needs Assisting the proactive management of contracts, by analysing performance and supporting the resolution of contract issues Ensuring compliance with sourcing and contract management frameworks, as appropriate Aiding the resolution of contract performance issues and putting in place plans to resolve Supporting supplier relationship management and contract relationship management activities and monitoring supplier service level and cost performance through KPIs Analysing and forecasting inventory levels and manages stock obsolescence, where appropriate and supporting cost and commercial control processes across Cadent activities for contracts up to an agreed value Central point of expertise relating to the management and operation of procurement systems (Ariba), including data management and issue resolution. Who are we looking for: Qualifications Relevant commercial / procurement experience Valid UK Driving Licence holder. Practical Experience Experience of sourcing and other procurement activities (contract management experience, understanding of cost management and commercial principles, leading supplier meetings including negotiations etc.) Confident in analysing and presenting data to inform sourcing / contract decisions Experience in supporting process improvements to improve the customer experience Strong written and verbal communication skills An understanding of EU and Utility Procurement Directives ideally supported by evidence of running a competitive compliant tender process Able to build effective relationships both internally and/or with external organisations What’s In It For You Here at Cadent, we are committed to supporting our employees to get the best out of themselves. For this role in particular we can offer: Funding and support towards completing qualifications Ample opportunity for progression within the business Mentoring and guidance opportunities Why Join Us We offer a host of benefits to suit your lifestyle and support your well-being. These include: Annual bonus Pension Scheme double matched up to a total of 18% of salary (i.e., employee contributions of up to 6%, double matched by a Cadent contribution of up to 12%) 25 days holiday, plus statutory days, and an option to buy more Fantastic career development prospects with funded learning options, including support with exams, and internal and external learning and development Strong focus on supporting you as an individual including: Flexible working Strong commitments to ED&I Generous family provision policies Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, insurance, and healthcare packages, plus much more My Offers membership card – offering discounts and savings from hundreds of retailers 2 paid volunteering days per year Free gym access at the Ansty office, as well as a ‘Gympass’ scheme providing free or heavily subsidised local gym memberships We want our employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance and are happy to discuss flexible working options with you if the role can accommodate it. Let us know about your flexibility requirements, whether that be reduced hours, remote working, flexible start/finish times, or compressed hours, and we will be more than happy to explore what’s possible for the role. Diversity and Inclusion Don’t meet every single requirement listed? Understanding, learning, and celebrating what makes us different, as well as what we have in common, is good for us as individuals and enables us to work better together as one team. Cadent is committed to being an equitable and diverse employer that fosters an inclusive culture for all our employees, therefore, all our employment decisions are assessed based on qualifications, merit, and business need. So, if you’re excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification mentioned, we would still love for you to submit your application – You may just be the right person for this role or other opportunities at Cadent. As a recognised Disability Confident Employer, we are proud to champion inclusion in the workplace and ensure to provide an environment that is accessible to all and supports individuals throughout their journey with Cadent. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process. We place great importance on equity, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Our employee communities Women in Cadent, Pride at Work (LGBTQ+), Embrace (ethnicity and religion), Thrive (disability) and the Cadent Military Community can’t wait to welcome you Circle Back Initiative As an active and proud member of The Circle Back Initiative, we aim to ensure that all candidates receive a response to their application, regardless of the outcome. We will be receiving applications until the specified date above, though Cadent retains the right to close this vacancy early without prior notification, so it is advisable to complete your application at your earliest convenience. Be part of something big. Help shape the future of gas for generations to come. What’s next? To be considered for this role, please submit your application with an up-to-date CV and our Talent Acquisition team will get in touch soon. To learn more about Cadent and what we do, visit our website at