Act as the first point of contact for non-contract and tactical purchasing requests across the business.
Engage directly with suppliers to obtain quotations, challenge pricing, and negotiate discounts and improved commercial terms.
Compare supplier offers and recommend the most commercially advantageous option.
Ensure purchasing decisions align with Affinity Water’s procurement policy and commercial principles.
Identify repeat or high-value off-contract spend for formal sourcing or contracting activity.
Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing requirements and provide commercial advice.
Guide colleagues through the buying process, ensuring requests are handled efficiently and professionally.
Build strong relationships with operational teams, Finance, and Accounts Payable to resolve queries promptly.
Support purchasing and receipting activity within Oracle Fusion (P2P).
Maintain catalogue items, onboard new suppliers, and complete required compliance and due diligence checks.
Support users with system queries and assist with the rollout and adoption of new procurement tools and system improvements.
Ensure all buying activity complies with internal policies, governance requirements, and audit standards.
Maintain accurate records of supplier interactions, quotations, and purchase decisions.
Support continuous improvement of buying desk processes and contribute to wider procurement and commercial transformation initiatives.

Requirements

Experience in a procurement, buying, or commercial environment, with confidence negotiating with suppliers.
Strong Excel capability to analyse, reconcile, and present procurement data accurately, using formulas, pivot tables, and structured models to support operational reporting, controls, and decision-making.
Experience with procurement systems or ERP platforms (e.g. Oracle Fusion).
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
Highly organised, detail-focused, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.

Benefits

Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.
Annual leave from 23-27 rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
A ‘Celebration Day’ in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%).
We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
Up to 4 Affinity days a year to volunteer in the community.
Life Assurance.
Disability Confident as a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

procurementnegotiationdata analysisExcelERP systemsOracle Fusioncommercial termssupplier managementcompliance checksprocess improvement

Soft Skills

stakeholder engagementcommunicationorganizational skillsattention to detailmulti-taskingrelationship buildingproblem-solvingprofessionalismadvisory skillsefficiency