Category Buyer - IT Procurement

Summary

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Location London, Reading Job Family Commercial Job Type Full Time Posted Date 14-May-2026 Ref # 73713

We’re looking for a Category Buyer to join our Procurement team, helping us deliver best value for money while keeping things simple, sustainable, and fully compliant. In this role, you’ll manage a high volume of low-value purchasing processes using our GEP spend management tool, negotiating with suppliers, supporting contract activity, and working closely with colleagues across Finance, Legal, and Procurement. It’s a hands-on role where you’ll balance cost savings, risk management, and customer satisfaction every day.

Who we are

The UK’s fastest broadband network. The nation’s best-loved mobile brand. And, one of the UK's biggest companies too.

Diverse, hard-working teams – jam packed with serious talent. Together, we offer the UK more choice and better value, through our boundary-pushing, customer-championing values and ambitions.

Together, we are Virgin Media O2, and we can't wait to see what you can do.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer and we're working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.

The must haves

In order to be considered, you must have the following experience:

• Good interpersonal skills and an ability to work with and influence suppliers and internal stakeholders at all levels
• Strong negotiating skills and the ability to lead competitive sourcing processes
• Ability to manage high volumes of purchasing activity against tight SLA targets
• Strong time management and organisational skills
• The ability to work within cross-functional and/or virtual teams
• IT Software skills such as Saas and perpetual software licenses

The other stuff we are looking for

We’d also love you to bring:

• Experience of using management information from ERP and Purchasing systems (ideally GEP)
• Basic contract knowledge, with an ability to finalise low-value agreements where required
• Strong analytical and desktop research skills
• An interest in procurement and studying towards CIPS accreditation

What you’ll be doing

• Processing low-value purchases (typically <£1m) through VMO2’s GEP spend management tool within strict timescales
• Leading sourcing activity including RFPs, auctions and negotiations, ensuring best commercial value, risk mitigation and sustainability impact
• Engaging and communicating with internal customers, Category Managers and group stakeholders (Telefonica Global Services, Liberty Global Procurement)
• Supporting contract implementation and ensuring compliance with VMO2’s procurement policies and procedures
• Managing multiple projects and processes while delivering a positive customer experience
• Contributing to savings targets, efficiency improvements and sustainability objectives

What's in it for you

Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world.

Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.

Next steps

If we feel like a place where you can belong, we’d love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date. Once you’ve submitted an application, the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include an interview either on Teams or in person.

When you apply, you’ll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we’ll be sure to discuss it with you.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible

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