Procurement Manager

The Role

Unite Students has an amazing opportunity for an FM Procurement Manager in our great procurement team

Reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager FM, the role will be responsible for the procurement strategy, activity and delivery for Hard Facilities Management and related capital expenditure (e.g. fit-out and refurb) at UNITE - working in partnership with internal customers to develop and undertake leading procurement processes and tactics to deliver real value to our business whilst fostering strong supplier relationships that optimise performance, minimise supply chain risk and seeks innovative approaches.

What You`ll Be Doing

• Strategic procurement of Hard FM, Fit-Out and related capital expenditure (including painting and refurbishment, plumbing, heating, general building works and materials, fire, access systems, statutory compliance, energy & environment initiatives), with support to any other significant operational category spend as required
• Sourcing, selecting and negotiating industry leading supply solutions that deliver real value to UNITE, our suppliers, our customers and our shareholders alike
• Act as a change agent - positively challenging the status quo where it leads to value
• Being a partner to our internal customers - listening and understanding their needs and interpreting these into leading procurement activity, explaining and sharing supply agreements and performance expectations
• Being a procurement role model - demonstrating influence and commercial acumen, an active contributor to the success of the team
• Managing risk and sustainable procurement in the professional services supply chain
• Maintain excellent customer relationships with operation and regional estates frontline and leadership teams to enable fast problem solving and `one-team` mentality
• Draft supply contracts and negotiating terms that maximise value and limit risk, maintaining major contractual agreements and supporting our city team stakeholders
• Formulate strategies across accountable categories in conjunction with key stakeholders
• Provide expert contractual and commercial advice to the team and business stakeholders
• Actively contributing to the UNITE ESG goals by listening to our suppliers and developing sustainable procurement strategies
• Be a procurement leader - actively contributing to the development of the function and promoting procurement in every respect

What We`re Looking for in You

• Ability to build relationships and rapport regardless of individual or level
• A `customer-first mindset` to ensure the supply requirements of the business are fully understood
• Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication in English, able to influence stakeholders and suppliers alike and achieve negotiate successfully
• Commercial intuition to proactively identify and unlock maximum value
• Accountability: Able to prioritize work, meet deadlines and targets
• Analytical Skills: A curious individual, with strong problem solving skills and techniques. Able to understand and carry out analysis and draw out conclusions
• Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of Procurement processes, specifically Supplier Relationship Management and Contracts Management is desirable
• Ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements, and a skilled mediator that is able to resolve performance issues or disputes
• Extensive category management experience in related category and ideally fully or part CIPS qualified (or equivalent qualification) with a desire to continue to develop

What You`ll Get in Return

• An annual bonus so you can share in the company`s success
• 25 days` paid holiday
• Pension - based on how much you save, we`ll contribute 1% more
• Flexible working opportunities
• Shared Parental Leave - 18 weeks full pay
• Other benefits include, ShareSave, Bike to Work, Charity Match, amazing discounts and more!

About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK`s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn`t just what we do but who we are.

People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone

We`re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we`re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what`s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.

We are US.