Indirect Purchase Buyer

International. Sports enthusiasts. Collaborative team members. Stronger together through our driving force to move people through the wonders of sports. 

At Decathlon UK, we offer Careers That Let You Play. As part of the DECATHLON Group, one of the world's largest sports retailers headquartered in France, we specialise in creating sports products and distributing them through online and physical stores across 56 countries with over 1,700 locations. With over 40+ stores in the UK, our mission is to be the spirited cheerleaders of sports and healthier living in the nation!

We have embarked on a strong, results-oriented multi-year investment journey to succeed in our strategic goals of transformation, innovation and sustainability. This role will play a key part in the success of this transformation into a market-leading retailer both in the physical and digital world by structuring best-in-class indirect purchase processes and organisation. As our Indirect Purchase buyer, your responsibilities will be: 

• Develop and Implement Strategy: Define and execute the local indirect purchasing strategy, aligned with Decathlon Group’s financial and non-financial objectives.

• ESG Integration: Ensure the rollout of ESG best practices across the existing supplier base to meet sustainability and governance standards.

• Market and Supplier Analysis: Build a comprehensive understanding of the UK market and stakeholder landscape. Identify and reference leading local and global suppliers to benchmark performance.

• Foster Purchasing Culture: Establish a strong indirect purchasing culture by implementing clear guidelines and processes from the International Indirect Purchasing department and the global community of category buyers.

• Collaboration with UK Teams: Work closely with Decathlon UK teams to meet their indirect purchasing needs, consolidating requirements and streamlining the supplier base.

• Tender Management: Lead tender processes using Decathlon’s corporate tools, selecting, negotiating, and securing the best suppliers. Provide detailed analysis and recommendations for supplier selection.

• Supplier and Savings Monitoring: Record and maintain all supplier-related data, ensuring continuous monitoring of performance and anticipated savings from new and existing suppliers.

• Legal and Financial Coordination: Work with Legal and Accounts teams to streamline the supplier onboarding process, from system integration to the activation of automatic payments.

Profile we are looking for: 

  - 3-5 years of proven success in indirect purchasing, preferably within a large, international organisation.
   - Experience in developing and implementing purchasing strategies that align with business goals.
   - Hands-on experience in supplier negotiation, contract management, and tender processes.
   - Familiarity with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) integration in purchasing decisions.

   -Capable of influencing and guiding stakeholders and comfortable working across teams and departments to align purchasing strategies with business needs.
 

Specific requirements/Work environment:

 This hybrid role would require the successful candidate to attend at least three days a week in our Office in London (Surrey Quays).

Benefits that await you 

Get to enjoy the following benefits and perks:

• Hybrid working 

• Healthy employee discount on all Decathlon products

• Weekly Staff Sports/Activities and free access to our office gym

• Cycle-to-Work Scheme

• Access to private healthcare

• Gym, food, and travel discounts 

… and many more