At a Glance
- Tasks: Work on exciting supply chain projects and collaborate with various teams.
- Company: Join Niftylift Ltd, a dynamic company in the FMCG sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and health cover.
- Other info: Flexible environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in supply chain management and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Studying towards a degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: On site / Milton Keynes MK5 6GF, UK
Job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: FMCG | Supply Chain
Salary: Competitive salary
Responsible to: Head of Purchasing and Supply Chain / (Senior) Commodity Manager
Internal liaison with: All employees, predominantly – the Purchasing and Supply Chain department, Design and Engineering, Production management, Niftylift Fabrications facility, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality Engineers.
External liaison with the Company supplier base, via regular visits, face to face meetings, e‑mail & phone.
Main Tasks
- Undertaking a relevant project or multiple projects for the duration of the secondment.
- Prepare, manage, and communicate project plans and schedules, and maintain comprehensive project documentation.
- Analyse data to evaluate potential issues and risks before they occur, including parts shortages, supplier stability and bill of material costs.
- Supporting the team in developing and maintaining a competitive and reliable supply base.
- Participate in the creation and management of cross functional commodity sourcing strategies designed to deliver a robust and sustainable supply base.
- Capacity and lead time analysis to ensure the current and future build requirements are achieved and protected by the supply base.
- Support with identifying purchasing and supply risks in association with growth projections and all new model sourcing.
- Supporting cost down initiatives across the company through product benchmarking, early supplier engagement, design to cost and best cost country initiatives.
- Assisting in the delivery of key performance objectives including material cost reductions (direct and indirect) in current projects.
- Assisting in the selection and nomination of suppliers through the review of capability, cost, quality and sustainability measures.
- Supply base management, relationship building and issue resolution.
- Provide support to Design / Engineering / Manufacturing and QA departments to investigate and successfully implement new components, innovations and technologies identified by the supply base research.
- Continuous seeking of measurable performance improvement opportunities.
- Representing the Purchasing department in cross functional meetings, including stakeholder reviews, ensuring compliance to the purchasing processes and recommending improvements to processes.
- Support the Supply Chain team to ensure component availability meets all programme requirements, including the monitoring of schedules.
- Utilising MS Office systems and tools to an intermediate level.
Qualifications & experience
- Studying towards a degree in Procurement and Supply chain management.
- A general knowledge of engineering and manufacturing processes.
- A good level of PC literacy.
Characteristics
- Enthusiastic, motivated individual who can operate at the highest level within a dynamic environment, with a willingness to take on challenges.
- Confident and professional manner when dealing with internal and external customers and stakeholders.
- Multi‑tasking experience and flexibility to address immediate priorities while managing deadlines for longer‑term projects and strategic initiatives.
- Task performance driven and keen to progress, with a passion to succeed.
- Innovative mindset, with the ability to generate new ideas and translate them into tangible results.
- Self‑motivated and task‑oriented.
- Flexible and adaptable, analytical and logical.
- Attention to detail and having a high degree of accuracy but at the same time being able to see the bigger picture.
- A strong individual capable of working at pace using their initiative whilst being an excellent team player.
Benefits
- Annual bonus (for indication only) based on recent average £500 per year.
- 25 days holiday (increases with service, up to 30 days), plus bank holidays.
- Subsidised refreshments (lunch and drink options).
- Free quarterly company lunches.
- Health cover scheme for dental, optical etc. (kids membership included for free).
- Life insurance scheme.
- Workwear (including safety shoes and PPE).
- On‑site changing rooms and showers.
- Competitive compensation package.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any other protected status.
Supply Chain Undergraduate (12 month student placement) employer: Hollybank Trustees Ltd
Niftylift Ltd is an exceptional employer located in Milton Keynes, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration within the Supply Chain sector. With a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and comprehensive health cover, employees are supported in their professional growth while enjoying a vibrant company culture that values teamwork and creativity. The opportunity to engage in meaningful projects alongside experienced professionals ensures that every undergraduate placement is both rewarding and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Undergraduate (12 month student placement)
✨Get Involved in Supply Chain Events
Check out local and regional supply chain events or logistics fairs in your area. These gatherings are gold mines for networking and can help you meet professionals from companies like Hollybank Trustees Ltd who are looking for fresh talent for placements.
✨Join Supply Chain Student Groups
Many universities have student groups focused on supply chain and operations management. Joining these groups can give you access to exclusive job opportunities and workshops, plus you'll be rubbing shoulders with like-minded peers who can share leads or insights into placement openings at companies like Hollybank Trustees Ltd.
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
In supply chain operations, problem-solving and analytical skills are key. On your profile or during interviews, showcase any relevant projects or coursework where you’ve improved processes or used data analysis. It shows you're not just a theory buff but ready to tackle real-world challenges.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
Don't forget that we at StudySmarter have a direct application portal where you can find exciting placements at companies like Hollybank Trustees Ltd. Get your application in early to stand out from the crowd, and don't be shy about reaching out for advice!
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Undergraduate (12 month student placement)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:In the supply chain operations field, being able to analyse data is key. Highlight any experience you have with data analytics tools or software in your CV and cover letter. This could be from coursework or projects; we want to see how you can optimise processes and decision-making!
Demonstrate Your Team Player Spirit:Since supply chain operations are often collaborative, we recommend including examples in your application that showcase your ability to work well in a team. Whether it was a university project or a part-time job, mentioning your contributions to group successes can really make your application stand out.
Focus on Your Learning Potential:As this is a placement role, we’re looking for candidates eager to grow and learn. In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for learning about supply chain management, any relevant coursework, and how you plan to apply this knowledge during your time with us at Hollybank Trustees Ltd.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Don’t treat your CV and cover letter as one-size-fits-all documents. Make sure to tailor them specifically to the Supply Chain Undergraduate (12 month student placement) role at Hollybank Trustees Ltd. Use keywords from the job description and reflect on how your past experiences connect to the specific requirements of the position; this shows us you’ve done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hollybank Trustees Ltd
✨Know Your Supply Chain Basics
Brush up on key concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. In a placement interview for a supply chain role at Hollybank Trustees Ltd, they might quiz you on your understanding of these topics or ask you to give examples of how you've handled supply chain challenges in the past.
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to tackle some data analysis questions or case studies during the interview. Familiarise yourself with tools like Excel or supply chain software, as these could come up when discussing how to optimise operations. We want to see that you can think critically about data and use it to inform decisions.
✨Share Your Experiences
Even as a placement candidate, it's important to highlight any relevant projects, coursework, or work experience. Talk about specific instances where you successfully contributed to a team project, or learned something about supply chains through your studies—this shows your motivation and eagerness to learn on the job.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect situational questions that test your problem-solving skills related to supply chain operations. They might ask how you would handle a sudden stock shortage or a delayed shipment. Think about your decision-making process and how you can showcase your ability to tackle real-world challenges, as this is what the placement is all about!
