EF (Education First) is looking for a proactive and detail-focused Procurement Coordinator to lead supplier negotiation and supplier relationship management across the UK and Ireland, and to improve the end-to-end procure-to-pay (P2P) experience for our sites.
Position Details:
- Full-time / Fixed term until September 30th 2027
- Based in London or Oxford Campus (frequent travel will be required)
- Monday - Friday
- December 1st start date
If you’re passionate about procurement, building strong supplier relationships and driving operational improvements, we’d love to hear from you!
Careers at EF | Open the world with us
At EF, we believe the world is better when people strive to understand one another. With 600+ schools and offices in 50 countries, we offer immersive programs in language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics, turning dreams into global opportunities. Join us in our shared mission of opening the world through education.
Working at EF
Skills you’ll learn at EF
Career Progression at EF
Your Role
You will take overall accountability for supplier activity across our activity operations. You will build strong relationships with suppliers, negotiate rates and contracts, own purchase orders for suppliers serving multiple sites, and make it easier for business teams to buy, receive, and pay for goods and services.
You will work closely with site teams, the Finance function, and the Global Excellence Centre, acting as the bridge between them.
Responsibilities
Supplier Relationship and Negotiation
- Lead supplier negotiations and manage supplier relationships across the UK and Ireland
- Meet suppliers regularly to review performance, service levels, and delivery against agreed terms
- Negotiate rates, pricing, and contract terms that deliver value for the business.
- Act as the main point of contact for suppliers on day-to-day procurement matters and escalations
- Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions where standards are not met
- Lead and support in various projects aligned to the remit of the role
Purchase Orders and Multi-Site Supplier Ownership
- Own purchase orders for suppliers that serve multiple sites, ensuring they are accurate, approved, and aligned to contract terms
- Ensure purchasing across sites follows agreed processes and preferred suppliers
- Support site teams in raising, amending, and closing purchase orders correctly and on time
Source-to-Pay Systems and Process Improvement
- Understand and use procurement and financial systems confidently, including how purchase orders, goods receipts, invoices, and supplier records connect
- Investigate recurring issues affecting purchase orders, receipts, invoice processing, supplier onboarding, and payments
- Perform root cause analysis and drive sustainable process improvements rather than relying on manual workarounds
- Analyse procurement data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement
- Make the procure-to-pay process simpler and clearer for site and business users
Stakeholder Collaboration and Enablement
- Partner with site teams, the Finance function, the Global Excellence Center, and the Global Process Owner for S2P
- Facilitate regular forums with key stakeholders to review recurring challenges, prioritise improvements, and track actions
- Develop documentation, training materials, and best practice guidance, and deliver regular training to key stakeholders
- Support change management and the adoption of new procurement processes and tools
Requirements
- Experience in procurement, supplier management, or a similar commercial role. Experience in leisure, travel, hospitality, or a multi-site environment is an advantage
- Confident negotiator with a track record of building strong supplier relationships
- Strong working knowledge of procurement and ERP or S2P systems, and a willingness to learn new tools quickly
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in records, purchase orders, and supplier data
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes
- Clear communicator who can explain processes and train non-specialist users
- Organised and able to manage multiple suppliers, sites, and priorities at once
- Comfortable working across the UK and Ireland, including travel to sites and supplier meetings where required
Why you’ll enjoy working with EF
- Work in a vibrant and multicultural environment, where no two days are ever the same
- Exposure to international business operations
- Staff are encouraged to innovate, take ownership of their ideas and bring them to fruition
- Global career opportunities
- Regular social events
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to EF Hello language learning
- Life insurance
- Professional development sessions for all staff
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EF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. References will be followed up and will ask specifically whether there is any reason that the applicant should not be engaged in situations where they have responsibility for, or substantial access to, persons under 18. Upon interview all gaps in CVs must be explained satisfactorily and proof of identity and, where applicable, qualifications will be required. Appropriate suitability checks will be required prior to confirmation of appointment.
EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, identity, parental status, experience, and everything else that makes you unique. #LI-PB1
Skills Required
- Experience in procurement, supplier management, or a similar commercial role
- Experience in leisure, travel, hospitality, or a multi-site environment
- Confident negotiation skills and experience building supplier relationships
- Working knowledge of procurement and ERP or source-to-pay systems
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in records, purchase orders, and supplier data
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root-cause analysis
- Clear communication skills and ability to explain processes and train non-specialist users
- Ability to manage multiple suppliers, sites, and priorities
- Willingness and ability to travel across the UK and Ireland for site and supplier meetings
What We Do
A career at EF is something different. You’ll think boldly, own your job, and create a career you are proud of—and have fun doing it. When you join EF, you will join a global community of creative minds, innovators, and change-makers. Since 1965, we've created programs that help people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn about the world and themselves. People are at the heart of everything we do, and it all begins with the talented and collaborative EFers who bring our mission-opening the world through education- to life across 55 countries and counting.
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