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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist with science group procurements, raise purchase orders, and liaise with suppliers.
- Company: Join the Natural History Museum, a leading science research centre and visitor attraction in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, life insurance, and discounts at museums and cafes.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to inspire millions about the natural world while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience, strong communication, and IT skills required.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; we strive for a workplace where everyone belongs.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website. Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. We employ 900 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world. Diversity and inclusion matter to us. Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About the role
The Science Purchasing and Procurement Administrator will assist the Science Procurement Lead with science group procurements such as sourcing suppliers via frameworks, preparing simple specifications. The role involves raising purchase orders using designated frameworks, liaising with suppliers and internal customers, issuing sales invoices, coordinating travel and accommodation bookings, and processing expense claims. Additional responsibilities include monitoring shared mailboxes, reviewing processes and suggesting improvements. The postholder will provide financial administrative support to Science Group, whilst maintaining a high degree of confidentiality on all sensitive information. The successful candidate will update team related Intranet pages and standard operating procedures, plus maintain financial records to a high level of accuracy.
About you
The role requires the individual to be educated to Degree level or equivalent experience in a similar role, with excellent communication skills both verbal and written with the ability to interact with museum staff at all levels. Candidates should have experience of dealing with external customers including those that do not have English as a first language, and must be able to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills. They must have the ability to organise, plan and prioritise their own workload; and possess a strong customer-focused attitude. Must have excellent IT skills notably O365 & MS Excel, financial administration experience and experience of working in an academic environment with an interest in science. They must be a proactive team player and have the ability to work well in a fast fluid environment and maintain a professional manner at all times. It is desirable the individual has a basic understanding of procurement in the public sector.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
What we offer
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
- Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures.
- Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi.
We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first-hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.
How to apply
If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job. Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double-check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently. Please note that this role does not qualify for Museum sponsorship so the successful postholder will need to have a valid right to work in the UK at the point of offer.
Science Purchasing & Procurement Administrator employer: Natural History Museum
Contact Detail:
Natural History Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Science Purchasing & Procurement Administrator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Natural History Museum's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and environmental advocacy will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate your passion for their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Natural History Museum on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Science Purchasing & Procurement Administrator role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in the public sector. Being able to discuss relevant frameworks and processes during your interview will show that you are proactive and well-prepared for the responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Highlighting your organisational skills and ability to prioritise will resonate well with the hiring team, as these are key attributes they are looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Science Purchasing & Procurement Administrator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Science Purchasing & Procurement Administrator position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with these expectations.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your passion for science and procurement. Mention specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and customer-focused attitude, as these are key attributes for this role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Ensure your CV emphasises your IT skills, particularly in O365 and MS Excel, as well as any financial administration experience. Include any relevant academic background or work experience that relates to procurement in the public sector.
Double-Check Your Application: Before submitting your application, review all sections for accuracy and completeness. Since the Museum uses an automated system to pull information from CVs, make sure your application form data is correct and reflects your qualifications accurately.
How to prepare for a job interview at Natural History Museum
✨Research the Museum's Mission
Before your interview, take some time to understand the Natural History Museum's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as their focus on inspiring advocacy for the planet. This will help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As the role requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, be prepared to demonstrate these during the interview. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and consider sharing examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse audiences in previous roles.
✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities
The position involves dealing with various challenges, so be ready to discuss specific instances where you've successfully solved problems in a work environment. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the opportunity to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful questions about the Science Purchasing and Procurement Administrator role, such as how success is measured or what the team dynamics are like. This shows your genuine interest in the position.
