At a Glance
- Tasks: Kick-start your career in Procurement by managing supplier relationships and supporting exciting projects.
- Company: Join Church & Dwight UK, a company that values people, products, and the planet.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24 days annual leave, pension matching, bonuses, and health cash plan.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for travel and cross-functional collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate qualification in Business or related field; experience in procurement is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference. We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment. Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries. United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible.
Are you looking to kick-start your career in Procurement? Ready to take ownership of projects, build supplier relationships, and gain hands-on experience in a global organisation? If that sounds like you, this could be the perfect opportunity. Church & Dwight UK Ltd is looking for a Graduate Buyer on a 2-year fixed-term contract to join our European Procurement team, based at our UK Corporate Office in Folkestone, Kent, with hybrid working (2–3 days per week).
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated graduate to develop commercial and procurement expertise within a fast-paced, multinational business. You’ll gain exposure to real projects, supplier negotiations, and cross-functional collaboration – all while building a strong foundation for a long-term career in Procurement.
As a Graduate Buyer, you’ll support procurement activities across key product categories, helping to ensure reliable supply, manage supplier performance, and drive cost and efficiency improvements across the business.
Responsibilities:- Support supplier relationship management to ensure strong partnerships and reliable supply performance.
- Coordinate cross-functional projects including new product introductions and supplier changes.
- Run RFQs, evaluate proposals, and support negotiations to deliver cost savings and value improvements.
- Maintain procurement trackers and support KPI reporting and analysis.
- Collaborate with internal teams (PMO, Finance, Legal) to deliver procurement objectives.
- Support contract development and management of supplier agreements.
- Identify and mitigate supply risks, contributing to business continuity plans.
- Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and cost analysis activities.
- Resolve supplier pricing and invoice discrepancies with internal stakeholders.
- Participate in supplier performance reviews and governance meetings.
- Represent Procurement in project meetings, providing updates on pricing, timelines, and risks.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and process efficiencies across the supply base.
- Travel within the UK and Europe for supplier engagement and project support (approx. 10–15%).
- Postgraduate qualification (or working towards) in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics or similar.
- Understanding of end-to-end supply chain principles.
- Experience (academic or practical) in procurement, supply chain, or commercial environments.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Exposure to SAP or similar ERP systems desirable.
- Experience working in cross-functional or multinational environments is beneficial.
You’ll be a proactive, detail-oriented individual with strong communication and stakeholder management skills, able to build relationships and influence across all levels. With a naturally analytical and curious mindset, you’ll enjoy solving problems, working with data, and identifying opportunities for improvement. You’ll be highly organised, capable of managing multiple priorities, and motivated to deliver results in a fast-paced environment. A flexible, adaptable approach and a strong team ethic will be key, alongside a genuine enthusiasm for developing a career in Procurement.
In return we offer a competitive package, including 24 days annual leave, a pension matched up to 9%, discretionary annual bonus, life assurance cover and membership of a health cash plan.
Ready to start your Procurement career? Join Church & Dwight UK and gain the experience, exposure, and support you need to build a successful future in Procurement. Apply today and take the first step in your career journey.
Graduate Buyer (2 year FTC) in Folkestone employer: Church & Dwight
At Church & Dwight UK Ltd, we pride ourselves on fostering a unique and informal culture that encourages courage, collaboration, and innovation. As a Graduate Buyer in our Folkestone office, you'll not only gain invaluable hands-on experience in procurement but also enjoy a competitive benefits package, including 24 days of annual leave and a pension scheme. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive team environment, this is an excellent opportunity to kick-start your career in a company that genuinely cares about its people and the impact we can make together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Buyer (2 year FTC) in Folkestone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their mission. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a future Graduate Buyer, being able to negotiate effectively is key. Role-play with friends or use online resources to sharpen your skills before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making an impact in Procurement.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Buyer (2 year FTC) in Folkestone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for procurement shine through! We want to see that you're genuinely excited about the opportunity to make a difference and grow with us.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Graduate Buyer role. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that align with the job description, especially in procurement and supply chain. We love seeing how you can contribute!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and potential.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Church & Dwight
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your understanding of procurement principles and supply chain management. Familiarise yourself with key terms and concepts that are relevant to the role, as this will show your enthusiasm and readiness to dive into the Graduate Buyer position.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since the role requires a naturally analytical mindset, prepare examples from your academic or practical experience where you've used data to solve problems or identify opportunities for improvement. This could be a project where you analysed supplier performance or conducted cost analysis.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Highlight your experience working in cross-functional teams. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with different departments, like finance or legal, to achieve common goals. This aligns perfectly with the company’s culture of collaboration and teamwork.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's procurement strategies, supplier relationships, and future projects. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if the company’s values align with yours. Remember, interviews are a two-way street!
