At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement processes and support scientific teams at the forefront of innovation.
- Company: Join EIT, a leader in translating science into real-world solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team tackling global challenges with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € per year.
Join us at EIT. At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we’re on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges in four transformative areas:
- Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
- Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
- Climate Change & Managing CO₂
- Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you’ll join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust, and collaboration, where bold ideas become real-world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity, and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society. Explore more at www.eit.org.
Your Role
At EIT we are seeking a Tactical Buyer who will play a pivotal role in delivering a responsive, efficient, and user-focused procurement service across EIT, with an initial and primary focus on supporting the Generative Biology Institute (GBI). Working closely with scientific and operational teams, the role manages the full end‑to‑end procurement process, ensuring purchasing activity is timely, accurate, and well controlled, while minimising disruption to day‑to‑day work. Although the primary focus will be GBI, the role will also provide procurement support across other EIT programmes as required. As a central point of contact for both internal requesters and external suppliers, the Tactical Buyer ensures clear communication, smooth execution of transactions, and strong adherence to process. The role also contributes to the ongoing improvement of procurement practices, with a focus on enhancing efficiency and the overall user experience.
Your Responsibilities
- End-to-End Procurement Delivery
- Manage the full procurement lifecycle from requisition through to payment
- Create and validate requisitions and purchase orders (POs), ensuring accuracy and completeness
- Issue POs to suppliers and manage order confirmations
- Coordinate goods receipt and support invoice processing
- Resolve transactional issues to ensure timely order fulfilment and payment
- Stakeholder Support (GBI-focused)
- Act as the primary point of contact for procurement queries, particularly for GBI stakeholders
- Provide clear, practical guidance on procurement processes and requirements
- Ensure requests are complete and aligned to approved suppliers and processes
- Work proactively to minimise delays and support critical scientific timelines
- Supplier & Order Management
- Place orders and manage supplier communications through to delivery
- Monitor order progress, confirming timelines and addressing delays where needed
- Maintain effective working relationships with suppliers to support reliable delivery
- Ensure alignment between supplier commitments and internal expectations
- Order Tracking & Communication
- Track orders through to completion, maintaining clear visibility of status
- Provide timely updates to stakeholders on progress, risks, or delays
- Escalate issues early and coordinate resolution with relevant parties
- Support the development of improved tracking and reporting mechanisms
- Supplier Onboarding Support
- Assist with supplier onboarding activities, including documentation and tracking
- Liaise with suppliers and internal teams to ensure timely completion of onboarding requirements
- Help improve visibility and efficiency of onboarding processes
- Issue Resolution
- Support resolution of invoice and order-related discrepancies (e.g. pricing, missing POs, receipts)
- Work closely with Finance, suppliers, and stakeholders to resolve issues efficiently
- Ensure issues are closed out promptly to avoid disruption to operations
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify recurring issues and inefficiencies in procurement processes
- Contribute to process improvements, standardisation, and better ways of working
- Support initiatives that enhance service quality, speed, and transparency
Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience
- Experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain operations
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple requests simultaneously
- Experience working with purchase orders, requisitions, and supplier coordination
- Strong communication skills with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience in a research, laboratory, or science-led environment
- Familiarity with Oracle Fusion
- Experience supporting supplier onboarding processes
- Exposure to invoice and Accounts Payable query resolution
We offer the following salary and benefits:
- Competitive salary + travel allowance + bonus
- Enhanced holiday pay. Our annual leave allowance is 25 days plus 8 bank holidays and an additional 3 days between Christmas and New Year. You will also have the opportunity to purchase an additional 5 days annual leave in January and July.
- Pension - Employer contribution 7.5%, minimum employee contribution 5%
- Life Assurance
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance as standard for you, your partner and any dependents. Including hospital Cash Plan
- Employee discounts
- Electric car scheme
- Nursery Salary Sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Family Planning
- Neurodiversity support including advice and assessments
- Coaching & Therapy services
Working Together – What It Involves
You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, and this will be assessed on a case‑by‑case basis. You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate).
Tactical Buyer Central Business Operations & Other Oxford, England, United Kingdom employer: Ellison Institute, LLC
At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration in the heart of Oxford. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, which includes competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and support for personal development through coaching and therapy services. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team that not only values your contributions but also empowers you to make a meaningful impact in tackling some of humanity's greatest challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tactical Buyer Central Business Operations & Other Oxford, England, United Kingdom
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to EIT. Attend industry events or webinars and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching EIT’s mission and values. Understand their focus areas like Generative Biology and Climate Change. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their goals. This will make you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. Get comfortable with common procurement questions and scenarios related to the Tactical Buyer role. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the EIT team. Keep an eye on our site for new opportunities and updates!
We think you need these skills to ace Tactical Buyer Central Business Operations & Other Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Tactical Buyer role. Highlight your procurement experience and how it aligns with EIT's mission. We want to see how you can contribute to our ambitious goals!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your attention to detail, communication skills, and ability to manage multiple requests. We love seeing real-world applications of your talents.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to understanding your qualifications and how they fit with our needs.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellison Institute, LLC
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around end-to-end processes. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed purchase orders and supplier communications in past roles, as this will show your understanding of the Tactical Buyer position.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves liaising with both internal teams and external suppliers, prepare examples that highlight your strong communication skills. Think of situations where you resolved issues or improved processes through effective dialogue—this will demonstrate your ability to support stakeholders effectively.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
EIT values innovation and efficiency, so come prepared with ideas on how you could enhance procurement practices. Share any experiences where you identified inefficiencies and implemented solutions, as this aligns perfectly with their focus on continuous improvement.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific procurement challenges, such as managing delays or resolving discrepancies. This will showcase your critical thinking and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
