The posting
Job Description
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
About Us
Some companies are in the business of banking. Others are in the business of shoes. Or sports. Or soft drinks. At EF, we're in a different kind of business. One that's a little less tangible, and a lot more important. Because our business, what we make, makes everything else possible. We're in the business of understanding. Between people. Between cultures.
For over half a century we’ve been the leader in international educational programs and experiences designed to foster such understanding. Through language, cultural exchange, academic studies, and educational travel, we create the kinds of immersive experiences that challenge biases, open minds, and pave the way for a more understanding world.
You’ll find our offices and schools located in some of the world’s greatest cities, and filled with smart, driven people (over 50,000 of us) who push each other to be better every day. But it’s what we do together - building greater understanding, breaking down barriers, and creating a better world - that makes all the difference.
Founded in 1965 in Sweden, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that share a common mission of opening the world through education. EF has been recognized on Forbes 2025 and 2024 World’s Best Employers and 2024 Top Companies for Women lists, Fast Company’s 2025 Next Big Things In Tech, and was a 2024 App Store Award winner in Cultural Impact.
At EF Language Abroad, we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we've helped millions of students discover new places, embrace diverse cultures, and gain fresh perspectives. We're dedicated to our mission of opening the world through education, harnessing the power of language learning to deepen the connection between people across the globe.
We offer immersive short-term and long-term language courses and programs across different languages in the countries where they’re spoken. Through blending classroom-based lessons with interactive exercises and real-world practice, our courses bring you to the heart of the language. Together, our global staff help students from around the world develop the language skills they need to achieve their dreams.
EF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All positions are subject to a criminal background and/or reference checks, as applicable.
