Student Placement - Planning Assistant, Purchasing & Supply Chain (12 Months) in Ellesmere Port

Student Placement – Planning Assistant, Purchasing & Supply Chain (12 Months)

We have a vacancy for an undergraduate student to complete a Year in Industry placement as a Planning Assistant within the Purchasing & Supply Chain team, commencing Summer 2026.

Planning is the heart of supply chain, and this placement will provide a full overview of how a supply chain operates from manufacturing the finished product through to selling the product to the customer. This placement will give you the opportunity to understand how a supply chain works whilst being fully utilised to support the planning function within the Performance Chemicals Business Unit.

You will be trained and gain experience in working with several key business systems to provide support within a fast‑paced Supply Chain environment. You will be fully involved within the planning function working globally to resolve supply issues and ensuring inventory is in place to keep plants manufacturing as per production plan.

You will learn how to use SAP to assist with ordering raw materials and finished products to guarantee stock availability to meet customer orders; whilst maintaining min/max inventory across European sites. You will also play a key role in maintaining the static data within the ERP system ensuring the system runs smoothly and displays accurate information. You will be liaising with our European manufacturing facilities, international third‑party suppliers, and other teams internally to maximise product availability. You will be involved in the management of weekly reporting on behalf of the planning team and slow‑moving stocks. Key relationships with our US team to manage supply and demand of purchased finished goods to service demand in Europe.

We have recently implemented a new ERP system which will be rolled out globally across our business over the course of the placement so this will be a very interesting and exciting time for the company and will provide the successful candidate with a wealth of experience and knowledge that could be invaluable in future business roles.

Requirements

• Numerate and PC literate: Strong Excel knowledge a preference.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work closely with all internal departments, requiring the need to be a proactive team‑player, and be able to build relationships quickly.
• Ability to build strong networks with internal and external stakeholders.
• Be able to manage multiple concurrent tasks and prioritise by importance.
• Strong attention to detail.
• A curious, analytical mind and a knack for simplifying complex processes.

About Innospec

Innospec is a global specialty chemicals company focused on bringing innovative new technologies to market combined with a fast and responsive service. We serve a range of industries across the world, bringing our products to customers in markets from oilfields, fuels, refineries and power stations to personal care and performance chemicals.

Our global team of approximately 2,000 employees spans 22 countries, applying their extensive experience and market understanding to customers’ local needs. Integrating our global footprint with local service capability enables us to supply quality products that meet and anticipate changing market dynamics.

Seniority Level

Not Applicable

Employment Type

• Temporary

Job Function

• Supply Chain and Manufacturing

Industry

• Chemical Manufacturing