Solid solutions for a dynamic world

A critical role within our organisation to shape the procurement strategy diversifying the sourcing and supporting the maximisation of our margin through effective purchase price optimisation, with responsibility for procurement, purchasing across the suppliers and distributors that are essential partners in the delivery to customers.

The role holder will lead a team of specialists in procurement and supplier management to ensure appropriate and optimised terms and pricing with suppliers as well as prioritised and timely payments to balance working capital challenges with supplier order commitments to meet customer delivery expectations.

Working across the organisation the role holder will champion the importance of supplier due diligence and management to underpin the right commercial relationships with our suppliers and ensure that internal processes are optimised to make supplier payments are timely, accurate and right first time.

Role Objectives

• Shape the procurement strategy to ensure that Maintel diversify their sourcing in order to lower dependence on a specific suppliers or vendors and are able to leverage competitive tension to obtain the best terms
• Establish a scalable, lightweight RFP process to optimise large purchases
• Ensure development and maintenance of the relationships and commercial terms of diverse and appropriate suppliers and distributors and negotiate the best pricing and terms to maximise profitability
• Ensure accurate, timely, efficient and prioritised payments to suppliers to optimise working capital
• Deliver streamlined supplier orders processes to ensure timely ordering and delivery to fulfil and improve the customer expectations and experience
• Lead optimisation programmes to achieve cost savings and continuously review & improve ways of working within the team to drive efficiencies and the customer and supplier experience

Role responsibilities

• Lead, manage, motivate and mentor the procurement and purchasing team
• Maintain industry knowledge and strong relationships with Maintel’s suppliers and distributors while diversifying sourcing
• Negotiate the best pricing and terms with suppliers to maximise profitability and actively avoid margin erosion
• Prioritise orders across the portfolio of suppliers
• Manage relationships in the context of challenging working capital conditions
• Manage supplier payments on a weekly or daily basis as required and actively manage payment priorities
• Actively seek alternative supply sources to diversify dependence from specific suppliers and pro-actively identify efficiencies and cost savings opportunities through supplier consolidation
• Ensure that the negotiation of payment terms is within the agreed Company standards
• Collaborate effectively across the organisation, including treasury, purchasing and other functions, with credibility and confidence.
• Supervise the supplier orders processes to ensure on time ordering and delivery to fulfil customer expectations
• Supervise the suppliers on-boarding process to ensure effective and timely completion
• Leads procurement optimisation programmes to achieve short term and longer term savings
• Identify and drive process change to improve efficiencies, enhance productivity and deliver continual process improvement and establish best practice
• Ensure appropriate staffing and skills levels across the whole team and that that work distribution is appropriate across the team.
• Hold regular one-to -ones and team meetings
• Take active role and engage in Team Meetings and Companywide updates as and when required

Hours per week 37.5

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• Situational leadership as well as proven leadership abilities, with experience building and leading high-performing teams
• Excellent communicator who can build and maintain effective supplier relationships
• Confidence and competence working with data from different sources. Expertise in using MS Excel and relevant internal systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and manage expectations from multiple stakeholders
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines independently and manage the delivery of deadlines of team members
• Curiosity, adaptability and flexibility to cope with uncertainly and dynamically manage change and risks.
• A continuous improvement mindset, always seeking ways to enhance processes and systems., * Proven experience in shaping procurement strategies and deploying successful new procurement sources
• Track record in concluding successful supplier and vendor negotiations leading to impactful better terms and tangible cost savings
• Extensive knowledge and experience in working with suppliers
• Strong track record of developing relationships and effective communications with suppliers and distributors
• Proven experience in team management, including leading and developing teams
• Expertise in MS Excel and working with data and competence in using IT systems
• Track record in delivering optimisation initiatives to achieve short and longer term savings
• Strong background in analytical roles

Desirable

• Knowledge of Focal point and Access Dimensions systems

Pulled from the full job description Referral programme Employee discount Sick pay Gym membership Free parking Company pension Cycle to work scheme, * 25 days holiday, rising to 28 days, plus bank holidays

• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Enhanced sick pay
• Health care cash plan
• Private medical scheme (self and family)*
• Income protection scheme
• Employee assistance line
• Discounts and cashback on shopping
• Discounted YorkTest home kits
• Free car parking (Blackburn site)

Flex Benefits

• Holiday trading
• Critical illness cover
• ULEV car leasing scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Gym membership
• Car breakdown cover
• Will writing service

Compensation

• Annual salary review
• Bonus and commission arrangements*
• Car allowances*
• Recruitment referral scheme

• Various recognition schemes (e.g. long service awards)

• Role Dependent

Working Environment

• Modern offices with collaboration/meeting spaces
• Agile/remote working
• Technology to support agile/remote working
• Free tea, coffee, juices and snacks at offices

Development

• Supported study
• Apprentice schemes
• Levy funded learning opportunities
• Individual development plans

Maintel is a communications managed services provider. We empower our clients across the public and private sector to deliver mission critical services and achieve their workplace, service and customer experience goals.

We consult on the design, deploy and manage network infrastructures, platforms and software, including our own, that keep ongoing operations running smoothly and dependably, protecting business as usual, at the same time being flexible enough to adapt.

When customer, employee, the general public and regulatory expectations are ever-changing, choose Maintel. We provide progressive, solid solutions that help you succeed in a demanding, dynamic world.

A brief history

Maintel, founded in 1991 by Tim Mason and Angus McCaffery, started as a small operation providing telephone maintenance contracts.

Over the years, we have grown into a major player in communications technology, achieving significant milestones such as floating on the London Stock Exchange in 2004 and completing numerous strategic acquisitions.

These acquisitions, including Azzurri Communications and Intrinsic Technology, expanded our expertise in unified communications, cloud, and networking.

Today, Maintel continues to transform businesses with cutting-edge solutions like Cloud Contact Centres, Security & Connectivity and Unified Communications, positioning us as a leader in the digital-first era.