Name: Laura Megson
Position: Category Buyer - Emergency Services
How long have you been working at YPO?
Since 2017.
What do you like most about working at YPO?
That you feel valued and there is always career progression or other opportunities available. It’s a great place to work, with great people. The YPO values are at the heart of everything. The management team make business decisions to drive the business forward, but you never feel forgotten about. You’re always kept up to date with internal communications. It sounds like a cliché but you’re not just a number, you’re part of the YPO team. YPO is a purpose led business and I am proud to be part of it. The way YPO supports its customers and gives back to the community is something I enjoy being involved in.
What are your main responsibilities?
I manage several frameworks that fall within the Emergency Services category, such as PPE, Uniform and Managed Services, Emergency Response and Rescue Equipment, Control and Restraint Equipment, Drones (UAV’s) with Associated Products and Services, and Critical Incident Management and Public Safety Software and Systems.
My main responsibility is to manage the procurement cycle end to end. I manage the current Emergency Services frameworks and renewals. This includes managing and reviewing supplier performance at annual review stage of current frameworks, marketing them and renewing all that have proven to be fit for purpose and that have been beneficial to customers.
I also support customers by offering advice on how our frameworks operate and how they can be the ideal compliant route to market.
I really enjoy working with suppliers and customers and I find the Emergency Services sector exciting. By maintaining positive relationships in the industry it helps ensure YPO are in touch with the latest innovations and market news so we can provide the best possible service.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
I am continuously learning the Emergency Services industry and keeping up with innovation to ensure I can provide the best support to the Category Manager, suppliers and our customers. Although it's hard work at times, the Emergency Services category is so diverse it never makes a job boring. Our frameworks offer a compliant route to market for the purchase of products such as Firefighters PPE kit, Police body armour, station wear and corporate workwear, handcuffs and batons, Firefighters’ hoses, PPV fans, thermal imaging cameras, drones (UAVs), to services such laundry including decontamination and end-to-end software solutions for control rooms and mobile data requirements.
Understanding our customers’ needs and ensuring our frameworks have the right level of offering that meets their needs certainly keeps you on your toes.
Describe your role in 3 words:
Exciting, diverse, gratifying
How did you get involved in procurement?
Over the years I have had various job roles across a wide range of business areas. Almost 20 years of that was within private retail sector and the financial services industry. After joining YPO as the Risk & Insurance Officer it gave me great insight and an excellent understanding of the business, its values and how it works within the Public Sector. After seeing a Procurement Services job opportunity advertised I knew my previous experience in customer service, stock distribution alongside my compliance and risk management background I would make a great addition to the team.
If you enjoyed this read, you can find out more about our employee’s and how they found themselves at YPO, as well as their job responsibilities and progress throughout the business.
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