Elior UK
Indirects Buyer
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Elior Support Services – The People Behind Every Plate
Elior UK is one of the country's leading contract catering and support services businesses, delivering food and facilities services across education, healthcare, business & industry, and stadia. We're looking for an experienced Indirects Buyer to join our Category team and help drive value, innovation, and sustainability across a broad portfolio of indirect spend.
You'll take ownership of sourcing strategy, supplier management, and category performance across your allocated indirect categories, balancing cost, quality, service, risk, and sustainability at every stage.
This is a genuinely varied role. Elior operates a devolved business structure, where our sectors and sites hold their own budgets and make their own final calls. That means your day-to-day will shift between two modes: on some projects, you'll lead end-to-end, with full ownership of strategy and supplier selection; on others, you'll work as a trusted advisor, shaping outcomes through expertise and relationships rather than direct authority.
If you enjoy variety, know how to build influence without needing to hold the budget, and are comfortable setting clear expectations with stakeholders from the outset, this role will suit you well.
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday | 9am till 5:30pm | Hybrid working
Job ID: 7441
What you'll be serving up...
- Lead category management activity, market analysis, supplier mapping, risk assessment, and strategy development
- Design sourcing strategies and run tenders, benchmarking, and supplier selection in line with company policy
- Negotiate contracts and commercial terms that secure competitive pricing and long-term value
- Build strong supplier partnerships and run structured performance reviews
- Partner with stakeholders across the business, agreeing decision rights up front and adapting between leading and advising as each project requires
- Embed sustainability, ESG, and ethical sourcing into category strategy
- Use data and procurement systems to track savings, spend, and supplier performance
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The ingredients you'll bring...
Essential
- Proven experience as a Buyer (3 years minimum)
- Significant experience within Indirects category procurement, across a variety of spend areas
- A track record of working effectively in a devolved or matrix organisation — equally confident leading with full authority and influencing without it
- Strong negotiation, contract management, and stakeholder influencing skills
- Excellent analytical and commercial acumen
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at once, and to stay resilient and constructive when navigating ambiguity
Desirable
- Degree and/or CIPS qualification (or working towards)
- Experience embedding sustainability and ESG into procurement strategy
- Exposure to digital procurement tools, spend analytics, or contract lifecycle management systems
- Experience in a multi-site, multi-sector services business (e.g. contract catering or facilities management)
What's on the menu for you…
At Elior, we believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to thrive. That's why we offer a benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career, finances and life outside of work.
Here’s a taste of what you can expect when you join us:
- Free lunches provided
- Flexible and part-time working opportunities
- Private Healthcare
- 33 days holiday, with the option to buy up to an additional 10 days per year
- Rewarding bonus package up to 15%
- Enhanced family, personal and compassionate leave policies
- Paid volunteering days
- Training, development and career progression opportunities
- Pension scheme, life assurance and financial wellbeing support
- Salary Advance, giving you access to a portion of your pay before payday
- A supportive, inclusive culture where everyone can thrive
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Plus access to Elior Spark, our enhanced wellbeing platform, offering support for you and your immediate family, including:
- 24/7 virtual GP appointments
- Mental health support, counselling and therapy sessions
- Physiotherapy services and second medical opinions
- Online gym and workout programmes
- Legal and financial advice
- Nutrition, fitness and lifestyle guidance
- Meditation and mindfulness resources
- Dedicated wellbeing helplines and expert support whenever you need it
Fancy being part of the recipe?
At Elior, over 10,000 colleagues come together every day with one purpose: to enrich lives everywhere, every day.
We're proud that 87% of our colleagues are proud to work here — and we think that's because people are given the support, trust and opportunities they need to thrive.
Don't tick every box? Don't rule yourself out. We're looking for people with potential, passion and the right attitude, not just a checklist of experience.
We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Ready to join us? Hit ‘Apply Now’ and let’s chat!
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