Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Buyer - Technology & Indirects - 9 Month FTC

at OVO Energy

🏢 About OVO Energy

OVO Energy is a UK-based energy supplier with a clear mission to make energy cheaper, greener, and simpler for a sustainable future. What makes OVO unique is its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the energy sector, offering employees the chance to contribute to meaningful environmental change. Working here means joining a forward-thinking company that values both technological advancement and sustainable practices.

About This Role

This Senior Buyer role focuses on technology and indirect procurement, managing categories like Software, Hardware, Professional Services, Data Services, and Networks & Telco. You'll be responsible for business partnering with operational stakeholders, developing category strategies, and negotiating supplier contracts. This role is impactful because it directly supports OVO's operational efficiency and sustainability goals through strategic sourcing.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve meeting with Heads of Departments to understand their technology needs, analyzing spend data for assigned categories, and working on supplier negotiations for low-medium value contracts. You'll likely spend time developing category strategies and maintaining relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers to support OVO's operational and sustainability objectives.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who OVO Energy Is Looking For

  • MCIPS level 4 qualified (or actively working toward it) with proven experience in technology or indirect procurement roles
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with both internal stakeholders (Heads of Departments/Managers) and external suppliers
  • Strong organizational skills with experience managing multiple sourcing activities and priorities simultaneously
  • Experience with data manipulation and analysis to maintain clear category spend visibility and supplier insights

📝 Tips for Applying to OVO Energy

1

Highlight specific experience with technology procurement categories mentioned in the job description (Software, Hardware, Professional Services, Data Services, Networks & Telco)

2

Quantify your negotiation achievements with low-medium value contracts, as this is explicitly mentioned in the responsibilities

3

Demonstrate how you've built relationships with senior stakeholders (Heads of Departments/Managers) in previous roles

4

Mention any experience with sustainability-focused procurement, aligning with OVO's green energy mission

5

Address the 9-month FTC duration directly - explain why this contract length works for you and what you hope to achieve during this period

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your MCIPS qualification status and how it applies to technology/indirect procurement', 'Specific examples of developing category strategies for technology-related spend', 'Experience with stakeholder management at senior levels (Heads of Departments/Managers)', "How your procurement experience aligns with OVO's sustainability mission"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → OVO's sustainability initiatives and how procurement might support their green energy goals
  • → Recent news about OVO's technology investments or partnerships
  • → The UK energy market landscape and OVO's position within it
  • → OVO's company culture and values as expressed in their public communications

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience developing category strategies for technology procurement
2 How do you build and maintain relationships with senior operational stakeholders?
3 Describe a time you negotiated a low-medium value supplier contract and the outcome
4 How would you approach gathering and analyzing spend data for technology categories?
5 What interests you about working at OVO specifically, and how does this role align with your career goals?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without addressing the specific technology categories mentioned (Software, Hardware, Professional Services, Data Services, Networks & Telco)
  • Failing to mention MCIPS qualification or equivalent procurement experience
  • Providing generic examples that don't demonstrate experience with stakeholder management at senior levels

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to OVO Energy!

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