Tactical Buyer

Job Description

Canada Life UK looks after the retirement, investment and protection needs of individuals, families and companies. We help to build better futures for our customers, our intermediaries and our employees by operating as a modern, agile and welcoming organisation. Part of our parent company Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life UK has operated in the United Kingdom since 1903. We have hundreds of respected and supported employees committed to doing the right thing for our customers and colleagues. Canada Life UK is transforming to create a more customer-focused business by providing our customers with expertise on financial and tax planning, offering home finance and annuities propositions, and providing collective fund solutions to third party customers. Job PurposeThe UK Procurement and Supplier Governance team proactively engage with the business to drive strategy in line with corporate objectives and manage Canada Lifes suppliers to extract maximum value for the organization from existing contracts and relationships. The role will need to be able to quickly manage a competitive tendering process with our preferred and potentially new suppliers, whilst working with the business requestors to accurately document specifications/project briefs and drive a behavioural changeto ensure competitive bidding and outcome-based statement of works whilst managing the third parties during the quote and award process. You will liaise with key business stakeholders across Canada Life to ensure favourable commercial terms which mitigate business risk, deliver the required business outcomes whilst delivering value for money and culturing an environment for supplier innovation. The role will support Canada Life Business Leaders, Contract Owners and requestors for related services. You will support key stakeholders by leading and executing competitive events according to business policy and agreed timelines. The Tactical Buyer will have the skills to use competitor and industry knowledge to drive innovation and commercial value to Canada Life and ensure end to end tendering cycle visibility, creating line of sight on demand, cost, service and risk through proactiveplanning work. Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead in the creation and running of competitive sourcing events across various procurement areas of spend (Predominately professional services & consulting) ensuring a competitive advantage and clear outcome-based contracts/SOWs:

1. To challenge the status quo and unpack complex business problems into clear and concise project briefs to drive the most appropriate business outcome at the right price
2. Ensure continuous alignment and communication relevant businesses/ functions on event development and decisions
3. Lead e-auctions/competitive tendering on behalf of business owners, negotiate commercial terms and mitigate supply risks through to SOW sign off and successful handover to business owners to manage the supplier delivery
4. Develop a reputation for delivery that quickly earns credibility in the business community, but also has clear strategic direction to become a trusted advisor to the business users

• To be responsible for identifying new value opportunities and assess their relevance and potential value to the organisation (in conjunction with UK and European/Global framework requirements) which deliver cost savings and value to the business
• To collaborate with the global Procurement teams on Global / European agreements
• Lead the creation and maintenance of pipeline procurement projects (forecast and tracking
• Ensure all records are accurately stored in the relevant Source to pay systems

Skills, Knowledge and ExperienceEssential

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent procurement experience
• Strong evidence of e-auctioning, sourcing and driving cultural change
• Good communication and influencing skills
• Strong written and verbal communication including presentation skills for engaging stakeholders and making a robust business case for change
• Strong business planning skills, able to drive change
• Strong team player
• Good knowledge of contract law
• Advanced user of MS Word / Excel / Powerpoint / Visio - especially Excel and Powerpoint

Desirable

• Financial Services experience - knowledge of the regulatory environment
• MCIPS qualified (or studying towards)
• Strong presentation skills for engaging stakeholders and making a robust business case for change

Benefits of working at Canada LifeWe believe in recognising and rewarding our people, so we offer a competitive salary and benefits package thats regularly reviewed. As a Canada Life UK colleague, youll receive a competitive salary and comprehensive reward package including a generous pensionand bonus scheme, along with, income protection, private medical insurance and life assurance. We have a fantastic number of other benefits and support services as well as regular personal and professional development. How we work at Canada LifeOur culture is unique and incredibly important to us. We care about doing the right thing for our people, customers and community and helping others to build better futures. Our blueprint behaviours shape and influence how we work, and are central to the relationshipswe have with others. Every day we are encouraged to be more curious, own the outcome, face into things together and find a way forward. We want colleagues to have rewarding careers with us so we invest in the development of our people, technology and workplaces. Thats why we offer a range of training, flexible working and opportunities to grow and develop. Diversity and inclusionBuilding an inclusive workplace with a diverse workforce where everyone can feel they belong and achieve their potential regardless of gender, ethnicity or any other characteristic is a key commitment for us. We are proud of the progress were making in DEI,and we continue for it to be a significant focus. "At Canada Life we believe in the power of great people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives coming together to build better futures. Emerging talent is crucial to our growth and creating an environment that continues to inspire us all."Nick Harding, Chief People Officer, Canada Life UK We appreciate that everyone has different work and life responsibilities. Were happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part time, for any of our roles should this be a requirement for.