Procurement Associate

CVS Group plc is an AIM listed, international integrated veterinary services provider which delivers to clients through three business areas; our veterinary practices, diagnostic laboratories, and e-commerce division. Our success is derived from the passion our people have for animals and for making pets a priority, it's what is at the heart of our work, every day.

The leadership team of CVS carry the attributes of the animal caring focus throughout the Group. Employees are supported to learn and grow, internal promotions are encouraged and the dynamic environment provides opportunities to really make a difference.

Summary of the role:

We have an exciting opportunity for a driven Procurement Associate to join our procurement team, where you will work on a hybrid basis with two days a week at our Head Office in Diss and three days a week from home.

Point of contact for our business to lead or consult on non-clinical procurement projects and responsible for the management of some supplier relationships.

Manage and oversee the purchasing of goods and services. Negotiate pricing and contracts and ensure that the procured resources meet the organization's needs. Direct responsibility for achieving year on year external expenditure cost savings and service level improvements.

Assist with maintaining contract repository, supplier due diligence and onboarding, and the Procurement Inbox. Reports to the Non-Clinical Procurement Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage procurement projects; develop procurement plans, develop specifications with technical staff, identify key suppliers, tender, evaluate, and negotiate contracts and pricing with suppliers to ensure best value and risk mitigation.
• Participate in internal stakeholder and procurement team meetings to support wider project planning.
• Provide support for the non-clinical purchasing and procurement needs, including assisting with the procurement inbox.
• Ensure all purchases comply with internal policies, security standards, and data protection requirements.
• Ensure that procured items/services are delivered on time and meet the specified quality standards.
• Handle any issues or problems that arise with orders or suppliers.
• Maintain and manage relationships with suppliers.
• Support and maintain the contract database.
• Proactively engage with business stakeholders to understand business need and opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to drive compliance through our preferred suppliers and group companies.
• Drive best “procurement” practice across the Group.
• Work closely with the sustainability team to manage supply chain in line with sustainability strategy.
• Deliver competitive advantage through cost savings, lifecycle value generation, demand management.
• Support the team on supplier due diligence and onboarding processes.

Experience and Key Skills Required:

• Procurement experience is required
• Experience managing or supporting multi-vendor procurement environments including tendering, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
• The ability to manage complex stakeholder, and partnership relationships in a fast moving and changing environment.
• Experience of communicating and presenting complex information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Negotiation skills.
• Flexible with the ability to work effectively under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.
• Must be highly motivated/a self-starter and organised, be able to work as part of a team or independently, be a problem solver and have a collaborative mindset.
• Ability to multi- task, prioritise and manage time effectively and efficiently.
• Results driven whilst not losing sight of the business needs.
• People person with excellent listening and interpersonal/communication skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Able to work under pressure and at the same time prioritise workloads.
• Problem analysis and problem-solving.
• Proficient with Microsoft packages, especially Excel.
• Experience with Gatekeeper a plus.  

Alongside a salary of up to £32,000, we offer benefits including; up to 7 weeks holiday (with our buy/sell holiday scheme) + Bank Holidays, pension matched up to 6%, access to our industry leading sharesave scheme, enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave, heavily discounted pet healthcare, continued professional development and a range of flexible benefits such as GymFlex and Cycle to Work to suit your needs.

CVS is committed to being a fully inclusive place to work where all our colleagues are encouraged and supported to be themselves, where difference is celebrated and where everyone feels able to deliver their best. We are also determined to build a workforce that is more representative of our diverse communities and the people we provide our services to.