At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Procurement team and support critical communication systems for global customers.
- Company: Airbus Defence and Space, a leader in aerospace innovation.
- Benefits: Earn £24,500, enjoy flexible hours, hybrid work, and half-day Fridays!
- Other info: Diverse team culture with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career with hands-on experience in a dynamic, international environment.
- Qualifications: Must be an undergraduate studying Business, Economics, Engineering, or Project Management.
The predicted salary is between 24500 - 24500 £ per year.
Start date: 19 July 2027
Location: Portsmouth
Duration: 12 months
Applications close on 25 October 2026.
Benefits:
- Salary: £24,500
- 37 hours per week
- Flexible working hours
- Hybrid working options available depending on the role
- Half day Fridays!
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (subject to completing full hours prior to this)
About us:
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Procurement team for a Project Supply Manager (PSM) intern. The role is in the Procurement Department supporting the Space Digital Business line in Airbus Defence and Space. Space Digital delivers, operates and maintains many critical communication systems for our customers around the world and at home in the UK. Join a diverse team supporting Space Digital Procurement. The team is based over 2 sites in the UK plus France and Germany. We are known for being adaptive in our approach, supporting a customer centric Programme Unit. The team supports multiple National and International customers enabling them to have communication systems that they can rely on when everything else around them is failing.
What you will be doing:
As a successful candidate, during your placement you will work in a project/bid facing role, providing solutions for their external purchasing requirements. By sourcing external goods/services you will be a critical part of the project/bid team ensuring a successful, On Quality, On Time and On Cost outcome. The Project Supply Manager (PSM) is responsible for:
- Organising all of the procurement activities on Bids and Programs
- Working with the wider procurement function
- Ensuring that the needs of the business unit are met for a successful Bid or Project delivery
This is an exciting first role to start your career, which will give you the opportunity to engage and learn about many business functions.
Requirements:
Our placements are open to Undergraduates only. Therefore it is mandatory for candidates to be an undergraduate for the whole duration of the placement. Please inform your graduation date on your application. Your application should include a CV along with a Cover Letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role.
Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate the following:
- Studying towards a Business, Economics, Engineering or Project Management equivalent degree
- Have commercial awareness
- Ability to express yourself clearly verbally and in writing
- Ability to thrive in a fast moving business with a multitude of stakeholders
- Proactive and able to develop commercial relationships with customers and suppliers alike
This Job Request will be allocated to the projected Joint-Venture scope towards a leading European player in space.
SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.
Contact:
Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Company: AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited
Employment Type: Internship
Experience Level: Student
Job Family: Sourcing, Buying and Ordering
By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported.
Procurement Manager Placement (12 months) in Portsmouth employer: Airbus SE
Airbus SE is an attractive employer due to its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the aerospace industry. The company provides hybrid working options and emphasizes professional development, making it a great place for career growth. Employees enjoy a collaborative work culture that encourages contributions to significant projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager Placement (12 months) in Portsmouth
✨Get Involved in Procurement Networks
Join procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like LinkedIn or local meetups. These communities are buzzing with opportunities and insights into the industry, and connecting with professionals in the field can lead to valuable insider tips or even referrals for placements.
✨Leverage University Career Services
Don't underestimate the power of your university's career services. They often have partnerships with companies looking for placement students in procurement. Check their job boards regularly, attend career fairs, and make sure to ask them about specific opportunities they may have with companies like Airbus SE.
✨Showcase Your Skills on Sector-Specific Platforms
Create a compelling LinkedIn profile that highlights your procurement skills and any projects you've worked on, even if they're academic. Use keywords relevant to procurement so you can appear in searches by recruiters looking for placement candidates.
✨Network at Industry Events
Keep an eye out for procurement conferences, workshops, or webinars—these are golden opportunities to meet industry leaders. If you can chat with someone from Airbus SE, do it! Demonstrating interest in their work could lead to a placement opportunity down the line. Plus, you’ll gain insights that could help you stand out in interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager Placement (12 months) in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Negotiation Skills:In procurement and purchasing, it's all about negotiation! Make sure to highlight any experiences you have in your CV or cover letter where you’ve successfully negotiated deals, whether in a previous job, during your studies, or even in a group project. Demonstrating your ability to secure value for money will definitely catch the eye of our team at Airbus SE.
Highlight Relevant Coursework or Projects:As this is a placement, we want to see your potential and enthusiasm for the procurement world. Include any relevant coursework, projects, or case studies from your studies that relate specifically to purchasing processes or supply chain management. This shows us you’ve got a solid theoretical background to complement your practical application!
Tailor Your Documentation:We expect applications that reflect a real interest in the role. Don’t just send us a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application documents to reflect the specific skills and knowledge needed for the procurement field. Mention specific tools or methodologies you've learned about during your studies or any certificates you’d gained that are relevant.
Convey Your Passion in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Let us know why you're excited about the placement at Airbus SE. Share any personal experiences that sparked your interest in procurement. Maybe you encountered challenges during a project that required you to think like a buyer? This personal touch can really set your application apart!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airbus SE
✨Understanding the Procurement Landscape
For a placement in procurement, it’s vital we grasp the current trends and challenges in the supply chain. Make sure to read up on topics like sustainable sourcing or inventory management, as they'll likely come up in discussions, so we can showcase our knowledge about the industry.
✨Know Your Tools
Be familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, like SAP Ariba or Coupa. If we mention experience or knowledge of these tools in our interview with Airbus SE, it’ll show we’re ready to hit the ground running and can make an instant impact.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you approach analysing vendor proposals or evaluating supplier performance. We might be asked to walk through a situation where we had to make data-driven decisions. Having a couple of examples ready to illustrate our analytical mindset will really set us apart.
✨Show Enthusiasm for Learning
Since this is a placement, potential employers like Airbus SE will be looking for our motivation and eagerness to learn. Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or internships where we've taken initiative. This shows we’re not just about the skills, but also about growing in the procurement field.
