Purchasing Specialist

Purchasing Specialist

Full-Time 15600 - 26000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage purchasing activities, supplier relationships, and resolve supply chain issues daily.
  • Company: Join Bertelsmann, a global leader in media, services, and education with 117,000 employees.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, life assurance, and employee discounts.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
  • Qualifications: Experience in purchase order processing and strong admin skills are essential.
  • Other info: Work Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, in Hams Hall.

The predicted salary is between 15600 - 26000 £ per year.

Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that operates in about 50 countries around the world. The company has 117,000 employees and generated revenues of €17.1 billion in the 2015 financial year. Bertelsmann stands for creativity and entrepreneurship, promoting first-class media content and innovative service solutions that inspire customers around the world.

Are you a pro at juggling tasks and passionate about procurement? Do you enjoy problem-solving, fostering supplier relationships, and ensuring operations run seamlessly? If so, we’ve got an exciting opportunity for you! As a key member of our UK Procurement team, you’ll be the central point for all purchasing activities — from onboarding new suppliers and managing purchase orders to monitoring deliveries and resolving supply chain issues. You’ll also have the chance to put your sourcing and negotiation skills to work, helping us drive cost efficiency and improve procurement processes.

Your Tasks:

  • Keeping the purchase order process ticking by processing requisitions and issuing POs like a pro
  • Chasing goods receipts and resolving purchase mysteries using the ME2N report
  • Onboarding new suppliers and maintaining up-to-date catalogues in SAP
  • Troubleshooting PR, PO, GR, and invoice queries like a procurement detective
  • Supporting UK Procurement with sourcing, tenders, and commercial negotiations
  • Building strong relationships with internal teams and external suppliers
  • Finding ways to make our processes smarter, faster, and better

Your Profile:

  • Experience in purchase order processing – FMCG or logistics experience is a big plus!
  • Sharp admin and IT skills – you know your way around SAP (GUI, Fiori, or S/4Hana) and Microsoft Office
  • A working knowledge of purchasing and finance processes
  • Bonus points for experience in sourcing, RFIs, RFQs, or tendering
  • A self-starter who stays cool under pressure and meets deadlines
  • A communicator and collaborator – someone who solves problems and keeps things moving
  • Confidence, clarity, and curiosity
  • A keen eye for detail
  • A proactive attitude with a problem-solving mindset

We Offer:

  • 25 days annual leave with the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days
  • Pension contribution
  • A life assurance policy that pays out 4 x Salary
  • Employee Assistance Programme that provides you with confidential support, information, and advice
  • Employee Discount Scheme through Treats
  • Free car parking

If you’re ready to bring your purchasing skills to a team that values precision, collaboration, and a dash of fun – we’d love to hear from you!

Purchasing Specialist employer: Arvato SCM UK Ltd

Bertelsmann is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Hams Hall where creativity and entrepreneurship thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation. Enjoy competitive benefits including generous annual leave, pension contributions, and a life assurance policy, all while being part of a global company that inspires and empowers its employees.
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Contact Detail:

Arvato SCM UK Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Purchasing Specialist

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with SAP systems, especially the GUI, Fiori, or S/4Hana interfaces. Being comfortable with these tools will not only help you in the role but also impress the hiring team during your discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Brush up on your negotiation skills and be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to foster strong connections, which is crucial for the Purchasing Specialist role.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your problem-solving abilities by preparing specific scenarios where you've resolved supply chain issues or improved procurement processes. This will highlight your proactive attitude and keen eye for detail.

✨Tip Number 4

Network with professionals in the FMCG or logistics sectors to gain insights into current trends and challenges. This knowledge can give you an edge in interviews and show your genuine interest in the industry.

We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Specialist

Purchase Order Processing
Supplier Relationship Management
Sourcing Skills
Negotiation Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Experience with SAP (GUI, Fiori, S/4Hana)
Microsoft Office Proficiency
Knowledge of Purchasing and Finance Processes
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Strong Communication Skills
Collaboration Skills
Proactive Attitude
Analytical Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in purchase order processing, FMCG, or logistics. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in sourcing, negotiation, and problem-solving.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for procurement and your ability to build strong supplier relationships. Mention how your proactive attitude and keen eye for detail can contribute to the team.

Highlight Technical Skills: Emphasise your proficiency with SAP and Microsoft Office in your application. Provide examples of how you've used these tools to improve processes or resolve issues in previous roles.

Showcase Soft Skills: In your application, illustrate your communication and collaboration skills. Share instances where you successfully worked under pressure or met tight deadlines, as these traits are crucial for the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Arvato SCM UK Ltd

✨Showcase Your Procurement Experience

Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in purchase order processing, especially if you have worked in FMCG or logistics. Highlight specific examples where you successfully managed supplier relationships or resolved supply chain issues.

✨Demonstrate Your IT Skills

Since the role requires proficiency in SAP and Microsoft Office, be ready to talk about your experience with these tools. You might even want to mention any specific projects where you utilised these skills to improve procurement processes.

✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Abilities

The job involves troubleshooting various procurement queries, so think of instances where you identified a problem and implemented a solution. This will show your proactive attitude and ability to stay cool under pressure.

✨Prepare Questions About the Company

Research Bertelsmann and its various sectors. Prepare insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in their operations and how you can contribute to their goals. This shows that you are not only interested in the position but also in the company as a whole.

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