About Us
AXO Student Living is a student accommodation provider which is committed to providing students from around the world with much more than just a room. We aim to give our residents a unique living experience which will enhance their academic journey and ensure that their time at university is packed full of great experiences and amazing friendships whilst enjoying our wonderful secure living spaces.
About the role
You will be providing a procurement service for approximately 9 sites based in London and Coventry. You will be based in London across two sites but will be required to travel to other sites as business needs arise. You will be responsible for working with site managers ensuring that procurement purchases of both products and services are in line with budgets.
Procurement Officer
Core responsibilities
- Sourcing suppliers: Identifying and vetting suppliers who can provide the required goods or services.
- Tendering & quotes: Running procurement processes (RFQs, tenders), comparing bids, and ensuring fairness and transparency.
- Negotiation: Agreeing pricing, terms, and service levels to get best value for money.
- Contract management: Drafting, reviewing, and managing contracts, including renewals and performance clauses.
- Supplier relationships: Monitoring supplier performance, resolving issues, and building long-term partnerships.
- Cost control: Tracking spend, identifying savings, and ensuring purchases stay within budget.
- Compliance: Making sure procurement activities follow internal policies and legal/regulatory requirements.
- Risk management: Assessing risks in the supply chain (e.g. reliability, financial stability, H&S compliance).
Day-to-day tasks
- Raising and approving purchase orders
- Reviewing invoices and matching them to orders/contracts
- Meeting suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Maintaining procurement records and systems
- Producing spend reports and forecasts
Key skills
- Strong negotiation and commercial awareness
- Attention to detail and organisation
- Financial literacy and data analysis
- Communication and stakeholder management
- Knowledge of procurement regulations and contracts
In a PBSA (student accommodation) context, the role often focuses on:
- Maintenance contracts (e.g. lifts, fire safety, cleaning)
- Utilities and service agreements
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) procurement
- Ensuring suppliers meet H&S and compliance standards (e.g. EICR, fire safety servicing)
- Managing seasonal demand (turnaround works, summer refurbishments)
Your Skills
1. Negotiation skills
You’ll regularly negotiate prices, terms, and service levels with suppliers. Being able to get good value without damaging relationships is critical.
2. Commercial awareness
Understanding how businesses make money, how suppliers price things, and what “value for money” really means.
3. Contract knowledge
You don’t need to be a lawyer, but you should understand key contract terms (like liability, payment terms, termination clauses, and service levels).
4. Analytical & numerical skills
Comparing supplier bids, analysing costs, spotting savings opportunities, and assessing risk all require comfort with data and numbers.
5. Attention to detail
Contracts and procurement documents need precision—small mistakes can lead to big issues later.
6. Communication skills
You’ll deal with internal teams and external suppliers, so clear writing and confident speaking are essential.
7. Stakeholder management
Balancing different priorities (finance, operations, legal, suppliers) and keeping everyone aligned.
8. Organisation & time management
Handling multiple contracts, deadlines, and procurement processes at once.
9. Problem-solving
Things go wrong—suppliers fail, costs change, timelines slip. You need to think on your feet.
10. Digital & systems skills
Familiarity with procurement systems, spreadsheets, and tools (like ERP or e-sourcing platforms).
Equal Opportunities
AXO Student Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender or other protected characteristics. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.
Disclaimer
The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and that additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.
Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- London SE1 8UF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
- Procurement Officer: 1 year (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
