Buyer

Job Introduction

About us

Do you aspire to work in a welcoming, innovative, forward-thinking, inclusive and supportive organisation where you can also learn and develop?  YPO might be the perfect fit for you!

With 50 years of experience, YPO has been dedicated to supporting the public sector. Our journey began five decades ago when 13 local authorities united to streamline their purchasing needs and enhance efficiency, forming the organisation we know today.

As a 100% publicly owned entity by our 13 member authorities, we ensure that our profits are reinvested into our public sector customers, offering even greater value for money.  Discover more about our company and culture at Start a career at YPO | YPO.

YPO is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best.

If this position is advertised as a full-time role (37 hours per week), YPO is pleased to consider requests for flexible working arrangements, including part-time hours and job-sharing opportunities. We are committed to supporting work-life balance and encourage candidates to discuss their preferred working patterns with us.

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint to the role of Procurement Operations Buyer – Support Solutions and Growth Team. 

As a member of the Support Solutions and Growth Team, this role is integral to YPO’s Community, Infrastructure & Support Solutions function. The role supports the Procurement Operations Category Lead in overseeing a wider team of 10 individuals, providing an operational procurement service and facilitating an end-to-end productive category management approach to procurement at YPO.

As Procurement Operations Buyer, you will ensure best practice and compliant processes are implemented, ensuring the delivery of compliant, best in class tendering and procurement activity, ensuring that Category requirements and customer requirements are met in a timely manner. 

The role will involve leading and supporting the delivery of specific procurement projects in support of the category teams.

About You

As YPO continues to expand, we are seeking a driven and enthusiastic individual to join our team.   Drawing from the skills and experience section of the Job Description, we seek someone who has:

• An in-depth understanding of Public Sector Procurement and Legislation
• The ability to build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders within YPO and our customers
• The ability to implement effective systems and performance management
• Full member or studying towards being a member of the chartered institute of purchasing and supply (CIPS) 

Experience of procurement processes in different areas of the public sector (PCR 2015, PA 2023) is desirable but not essential. 

For a detailed description of the role and required skills, please refer to the job description attached below.

What’s in it for you?

We are proud to offer a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• Generous annual leave, from 24 days a year, plus 8 days statutory bank holidays and 3 discretionary closedown days at Christmas
• Local Government Pension through West Yorkshire Pension Fund 
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing package
• Flexi scheme and flexible working options available (please discuss your preferred working requirements with the manager at interview)
• Family friendly policies
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Subsidised canteen
• Free parking available

To have a confidential and informal discussion about this role, or for any additional support, please contact Vicky Horsfield on vicky.horsfield@ypo.co.uk. 

Interviews are scheduled to take place the week commencing 20th October 2025, in-person at our office in Wakefield.