PLACEMENT STUDENT – New Product Purchasing
We are looking for an enthusiastic New Product Purchasing Student to join our team specializing in Purchasing for our Corporate Segment in Darlington. During your placement with us, you will learn how a major global organization operates, gaining the tools and exposure you will need to become an expert in the industry.
This role is available to candidates who qualify for a placement year and will commence Summer of 2027.
Responsibilities
In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:
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Support purchasing activities across new product introduction and business projects; coordinate and track procurement deliverables to help ensure projects meet key milestones and deadlines.
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Build relationships with suppliers across the globe and support regular commercial and project discussions; support supplier sourcing activities, including inviting suppliers to bid, reviewing quotations and assisting with supplier selection.
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Track project risks, actions and issues, working with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive them to resolution; work cross-functionally with teams including Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, Finance and Project Management.
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Support commercial analysis to help ensure Cummins receives competitive pricing, quality and value from its supply base.
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Maintain purchasing and project information within internal systems and provide clear status updates to stakeholders.
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Gain exposure to negotiation, cost management, supplier performance and strategic sourcing within a global business.
Qualifications
To be successful in this role you will need the following:
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Currently studying for a bachelor’s degree, ideally in Business, Business Management, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Economics, Finance, International Business or a related commercial discipline (and not graduating this academic year).
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An interest in procurement, project management, supply chain and working within a global business environment; confidence using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
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Strong organisation and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines; a proactive attitude and willingness to take ownership of actions and follow them through to completion
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An analytical and commercially minded approach to problem-solving; good communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence working with different teams, stakeholders and suppliers.
CLOSING DATE: (Thursday, 12th November 2026 11:59pm)
Placement Student - New Product Purchasing in Darlington employer: Cummins
Cummins is an excellent employer for aspiring Sales and Marketing professionals, offering a supportive apprenticeship programme in Darlington, UK. With a focus on employee growth, you will gain invaluable skills and experience within a major global organisation, while enjoying a collaborative work culture that champions continuous improvement and customer engagement. The opportunity to study at Darlington College alongside hands-on experience ensures a well-rounded foundation for your future career.
