Interim Procurement Buyer/Officer

Application Deadline: 17 August 2025

Department: Group Procurement

Location: Braintree

Description

The Procurement Buyer/Officer will be responsible for supporting purchasing activities at CGT Catapult on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The Procurement Buyer will be a key ERP (preferably SAP ByDesign) user responsible for updating material and finished goods pricing, reconciling purchase order/invoice discrepancies, and creating new items, vendors, and contracts. The Procurement Buyer will also act as a key point of contact in interaction with site stakeholders. The Procurement Buyer will establish business needs and using innovative solutions to meet those needs using their experience to meet challenging targets and to deliver against evolving business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Analysis, coordination, and recording of data to ensure the timely arrival of materials needed to support production and business initiatives at the CGT Catapult. This includes but is not limited to helping develop and use appropriate platforms and databases/systems, entering and maintaining accurate data, and maintaining effective communications with internal and external stakeholders and Collaborators
• Responsible for creating and monitoring purchase orders, ensuring requisitions are processed accurately for the procurement of materials/goods, services, and/or supplies in a timely manner
• Maintenance of the ERP system (currently SAP ByDesign) and relevant supplier databases, including following up with internal stakeholders and suppliers, to enable the release, tracking, and accurate documentation of materials purchased
• Maintain stock trackers and upload weekly on ERP system (currently SAP ByDesign)
• Always Ensure the correct application of Company Procurement Procedures and Policies, promoting best practice across the site
• Review and, where necessary, update contracts on a monthly/quarterly basis for the CGT Catapult
• Oversee the timely renewal of key contracts with vendors, suppliers, and service providers
• Collaborate with relevant departments to review contract terms, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations
• Negotiate contract renewals to secure favorable terms and cost efficiency for the company
• Manage and monitor the Buy at Risk contracts, ensuring timely renewals and compliance with company policies
• Provide AP support and support invoice/PO discrepancy resolution activities
• Other miscellaneous support for general purchasing functions (tracking inventory run out, historical receipts, and data analysis/integrity, as required)
• Coordinate with the CGT Catapult finance department on monthly reporting and the reconciliation of procurement data
• Assist with new supplier setup processes, document requests, and PO request and creation
• Monitor the Quick Quotes Inbox and send out form with reference to requestor departments
• Support and lead on end-to-end Procurement tenders and RFQ’s
• Manage obtaining suppliers’ company insurance policies, ensuring the contracts register is updated
• Assist the Quality Assurance team with tasks related to the eQMS system, ensuring smooth workflow and documentation accuracy
• Manage the onboarding process for new suppliers, ensuring compliance with the company's procurement policies
• Perform supplier evaluations and risk assessments before approval, including financial stability and operational capacity
• Support implementation of the new Procurement Act
• Oversee low and high value procurement projects in particular projects that exceed £30K, ensuring timely initiation and compliance with company policies and the new Procurement Act
• Update the Legal Contract Management System as necessary with new contract details on the Wax e-system
• Collaborate with the wider Procurement team to drive stock management initiatives, focusing on standardisation, cost savings, and supplier consolidation
• Assist in analysing procurement data to identify opportunities for improving efficiency, reducing stock variability, and leveraging bulk purchasing to achieve savings
• Assist the quarterly account meetings with Stationery meetings with Banner and investigate departmental queries or complaints
• Perform other duties commensurate with the role

Experience:

• Previous experience of working in a purchasing/procurement role, within a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Experience of procuring through PCR2015, Procurement Act 2023 & frameworks preferred
• Demonstratable knowledge of business practices and resolution of procurement issues.
• Experience of daily collaboration with packaging and raw material suppliers to track lead-times on open orders
• Experience of reviewing and coordinating contract negotiations, to ensure service level standards are met with support from CGT Catapult leadership
• Demonstrable experience of managing the efficient supply of special and custom design components and consumables
• Experience managing contracts and supplier renewals
• Experience running tenders and RFQ’s

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Highly motivated, pragmatic, and practical to support the mission of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult to accelerate the development of a commercial cell and gene-based therapy industry in the UK
• Understands financial governance and legal requirements, and procurement strategies
• High-level interpersonal, communication (oral and written) skills and emotional intelligence
• A “roll your sleeves up” hands-on attitude towards varying work assignments
• Resilient, with the ability to manage multiple and varied tasks and prioritise workload within a fast-paced professional environment, with a strong attention to detail
• Flexible and pragmatic, able to learn quickly and respond flexibly to project needs and priorities
• A good team player with a hands-on approach, and adaptable to new challenges
• Experience of standard Microsoft packages
• Flexibility towards work assignments and new learning
• Ambitious, collaborative, driven
• Ability to work well under pressure, to work independently and to be able to take the initiative when completing tasks
• Comfortable operating autonomously once goals and objectives are set
• A positive attitude towards learning, personal and professional development
• Keeps up to date with professional knowledge, expertise and best practice
• Willingness to travel and work in one of the site locations two days per week

Education / Qualifications:

• Minimum of three A levels (grade A* - C)
• Project Management qualifications (desirable)
• CIPS level 3 or above (desirable)

CGT Catapult is committed to providing an equal, diverse, and inclusive work environment where everyone’s contributions are valued. We celebrate differences, empower, and inspire everyone, because when everyone is included, everyone wins. In 2024, we received bronze accreditation from Inclusive Employers.