Senior Buyer - Soft FM

at  Serco Plc

Senior Buyer - Soft FM (Food Category)
Flexible – Attached to Hook/London/Solihull
Full Time, Permanent
£44,000 - £52,000 (dependent on experience)
Are you an experienced procurement professional with a background in food buying?
Procurement at Serco has evolved significantly over the last five years, driving value, protecting against risk, and enhancing operational efficiency across all our service contracts. From feeding inmates in our prisons to ensuring nutritious meals are served in our hospitals, food procurement is essential to delivering vital services. Managing budgets and sourcing high-quality, sustainable supplies is key to meeting the needs of diverse environments, all while driving cost efficiencies and supporting sustainability goals.
We are seeking a Senior Buyer with essential experience in food procurement to manage the sourcing of food supplies across Serco’s wide range of contracts, including healthcare, defence, and local government. You’ll take ownership of sourcing projects that support critical services such as prison catering and hospital food provision, where balancing quality and cost control is crucial. This is an exciting opportunity to influence procurement strategy across the business while working with key stakeholders and suppliers to deliver value.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plan and manage procurement projects ( >£250k), ensuring compliance with Sourcing & Category Management processes and governance across all Serco contracts.
Support the Soft FM Category Manager in delivering complex procurement projects ( >£1m), particularly focusing on food supply for prisons, hospitals, and other sectors.
Lead and mentor Buyers in executing procurement strategies for food supplies that optimise value and ensure consistent quality across diverse contracts.
Review and analyse purchase requirements across all contracts to develop tailored procurement strategies that balance budget constraints with quality and service needs.
Engage with key suppliers and stakeholders to secure competitive terms and reliable food supply chains, particularly in high-pressure environments such as prisons and hospitals.
Drive continuous improvement and ensure that procurement processes deliver robust contracts and improved value for money.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO DO THE ROLE:

CIPS qualified or working towards CIPS qualification (Serco will support this).
At least 4 years’ experience in a sourcing or buying role, with strong experience in food procurement.
Knowledge of category management and strategic sourcing, particularly in large-scale food supply operations.
Familiarity with eSourcing systems is advantageous.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
A proactive learner with a passion for procurement excellence and resilience to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.