Senior Purchasing Specialist - Stevenage, UK

Sr. Purchasing Specialist – Stevenage, UK Location: Stevenage, Hertfordshire Category: Professional Services Salary: Apply for details Country: United Kingdom Employment: Contract Worksite: On-Site Apply For This Position

Sr. Purchasing Specialist Are you passionate about supporting scientific innovation and making a tangible impact in a dynamic environment? Join us as a Senior Purchasing Specialist in Stevenage and play a vital role in enabling cutting-edge research and development. This is your opportunity to be part of a collaborative team that values proactive problem-solving, efficiency, and customer focus. Overview As a Senior Purchasing Specialist, you'll work closely with R&D Chemistry & Biology labs to streamline procurement processes, ensure seamless supply of essential materials, and support our mission to advance science. Your expertise will help keep research projects moving forward by managing end-to-end purchasing operations, building strong supplier relationships, and maximizing value for the organization. Key Responsibilities

• Process and ensure accuracy of all procurement orders for assigned business groups, adhering to deadlines.
• Follow up on missing PO numbers, back orders, and invoice discrepancies to maintain smooth workflows.
• Monitor invoices, conduct goods receipting, and approve or reject costs in line with company policies.
• Proactively seek cost-saving opportunities, obtain bulk quotes, and challenge costs to optimize spending.
• Keep internal customers informed about order status and resolve procurement queries efficiently.
• Utilize procurement systems to record and track purchases accurately.
• Maintain relationships with preferred suppliers and follow procurement procedures diligently.
• Provide procurement support to colleagues and other sites as needed, acting as a single point of contact.
• Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations at the site.
• Report key performance metrics to management and suggest process improvements to enhance service delivery. Must-Have Requirements
• Customer service experience, ideally within regulated environments.
• Strong IT skills, with knowledge of databases and purchase systems.
• Experience with ARIBA is highly preferred.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and analytical thinking.
• Effective communication skills and ability to solve problems independently.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt quickly in a fast-paced setting. Nice-to-Have Skills
• Familiarity with procurement in scientific or laboratory settings.
• A proactive mindset focused on continuous improvement.
• Experience working with software licenses and lab supplies. This 12-month maternity cover offers a competitive hourly rate, with a flexible working arrangement of at least two days on site each week in Stevenage. Join us in supporting groundbreaking science–apply now to become part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a difference!

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