At a Glance
- Tasks: Support purchasing operations and ensure timely delivery of components and services.
- Company: Join OpenWorks, a global leader in defence innovation and engineering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, free meals, private healthcare, and fun team socials.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in procurement with a passionate team and exciting challenges.
- Qualifications: A-levels or equivalent; experience in procurement is a plus but not essential.
- Other info: Dynamic work culture that encourages personal growth and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 36400 £ per year.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a Junior Buyer who’s eager to build their career in procurement and play a key role in keeping our purchasing operations running smoothly. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who’s organised, detail-driven and ready to learn, supporting the wider procurement team to ensure components and services reach our engineering and production teams on time. In this role, you’ll support routine purchasing activity, maintain accurate data in our systems, collaborate with suppliers and help keep the day-to-day flow of materials moving across the business.
Who We Are
OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations. We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world. The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
- Competitive remuneration package, salary from £26,000 with performance-related bonuses and clear progression opportunities.
- 25 days’ holiday + public holidays, with long-service rewards and the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Free breakfast and freshly cooked lunches every day, courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
- Private healthcare through Aviva, keeping you feeling your best.
- Life assurance for peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
- Salary sacrifice schemes - including EV car and Cycle to Work options for easy, sustainable travel.
- Paid team socials - from quiz nights and football to board games and more; we love to have fun together.
- Pension plan with employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
- A culture that empowers - we enable change, encourage challenge, and celebrate personal growth.
What you’ll be doing
- Purchase Order Processing: Handling requisitions and issuing purchase orders for low- to medium-complexity goods.
- Subcontract Service Coordination: Obtaining quotes and placing orders with subcontracted service providers.
- Order Progressing: Monitoring open purchase orders, flagging delays and working with suppliers to resolve issues.
- ERP Data Management: Maintaining accurate supplier details, pricing, lead times and part information in the ERP system.
- Supplier Administration: Keeping supplier documentation up to date and maintaining accurate records.
- Invoice Support: Assisting with invoice matching and basic query resolution in collaboration with finance.
- Team Support: Providing ad-hoc administrative support such as filing, document management and process updates.
- Continuous Improvement: Assisting with procurement process improvements to enhance efficiency.
What you’ll bring
- Early Procurement Experience: Some experience in procurement, purchasing or administrative support is helpful but not essential.
- Organisation & Accuracy: Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills.
- Systems Confidence: Comfortable using IT systems. ERP/MRP experience is desirable (we use Infor Syteline).
- Clear Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for supplier and internal liaison.
- Procurement Awareness: Basic understanding of purchasing processes and supplier management.
- Ability to Prioritise: Comfortable working across multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Positive Attitude: Proactive problem-solving approach and enthusiasm to learn.
- Data Skills: Excel and experience with basic data analysis skills is a plus.
Qualifications
- A-levels, equivalent or a relevant vocational qualification.
- CIPS (or working towards it) is desirable but not essential.
More about us
- Vision: Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.
- Mission: Be a world-leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence.
- Values: Be a Good Egg: Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest. Do cool stuff: We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done. Be empowered: We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility. We are one team: Look out for each other and the team. Things go wrong: Fail fast, learn and move on. Have fun: We’re doing amazing things with passionate people.
Junior Buyer in Prudhoe employer: Internetwork Expert
Contact Detail:
Internetwork Expert Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer in Prudhoe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the procurement field, attend industry events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching OpenWorks and understanding their products and values. Show your enthusiasm for their mission and how you can contribute to their team. Tailor your responses to highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to procurement and purchasing. Think about scenarios where you've demonstrated problem-solving skills or worked under pressure. This will help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the OpenWorks team and ready to dive into the exciting world of procurement.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer in Prudhoe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Organisational Skills: As a Junior Buyer, being organised is key! Make sure your application highlights any experience you have in managing tasks or data. We want to see how you keep things running smoothly!
Be Detail-Driven: Attention to detail is crucial in procurement. When writing your application, mention specific examples where your keen eye for detail made a difference. We love candidates who can spot the little things!
Communicate Clearly: Strong communication skills are essential for liaising with suppliers and team members. Use clear and concise language in your application to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively. We appreciate straightforwardness!
Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn: We’re looking for someone eager to grow in their career. In your application, express your enthusiasm for learning and developing new skills in procurement. Show us that you’re ready to dive in and make an impact!
How to prepare for a job interview at Internetwork Expert
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on the fundamentals of procurement and purchasing processes. Understanding key terms and concepts will help you speak confidently about your knowledge and show that you're eager to learn more.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where your organisational skills made a difference. Whether it’s managing data or coordinating tasks, being able to demonstrate your attention to detail will impress the interviewers.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since the role involves liaising with suppliers and internal teams, showcasing your strong communication skills during the interview is crucial.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and procurement processes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.