At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate procurement of goods and services, ensuring value and excellent service.
- Company: Join Kids Planet, a family-run business passionate about shaping futures.
- Benefits: 80% childcare discount, free meals, life insurance, and enhanced leave.
- Other info: Great workplace culture with fun events and continuous training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in early years education while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or supply chain, strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day? Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.
Purpose of the Role: To coordinate the procurement of goods and services across the organisation, ensuring value for money, continuity of supply, and excellent service to internal stakeholders. The Procurement Coordinator supports supplier management, purchase order processing, contract administration, and continuous improvement within the procurement function.
Why Kids Planet?
- Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
- Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
- Crowned NMT’s Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
- 80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply
What’s in it for you?
- Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.
- Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
- Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
- Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
- Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
- Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
- Take the day off on your birthday, it’s all about you!
- Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Raise, process, and monitor purchase orders.
- Support sourcing activities and obtain supplier quotations.
- Coordinate procurement requests from nursery and head office teams.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with suppliers.
- Resolve supplier queries, delivery issues, and invoice discrepancies.
- Maintain supplier records, contracts, and pricing information.
- Monitor procurement KPIs, including cost savings, supplier performance, and delivery metrics.
- Analyse spend data and prepare regular reports.
- Assist with supplier onboarding and due diligence.
- Support contract renewals and tender exercises.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies and company procedures.
- Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost efficiencies.
- Work closely with Finance, Operations, and Nursery teams to ensure timely supply of products and services.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Essential: Experience in procurement, purchasing, buying, or supply chain administration.
- Strong administrative and organisational skills.
- Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.
- Experience working with procurement, ERP, or finance systems.
- Ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple tasks.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Desirable: CIPS Level 3 or Level 4 (or working towards).
- Experience in multi-site or retail/hospitality/education environments.
- Experience supporting tender or contract management activities.
Skills:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Analytical and numerical ability.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Good negotiation skills.
- Ability to build relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Commercial awareness.
- Time management and planning.
Personal Attributes:
- Proactive and self-motivated.
- Team player.
- Customer-focused.
- Flexible and adaptable.
- Professional and reliable.
- Continuous improvement mindset.
Like the sound of joining our family? Apply today to be a Procurement Coordinator with Kids Planet!
We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.
Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.
Kids Planet is committed to equal opportunities for all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our staff and children. Applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Procurement Coordinator - Kids Planet Central Support in Lymm employer: Kids Planet
Kids Planet in Reigate is an exceptional employer that prioritises a nurturing work environment and values the importance of family and inclusivity. With competitive salaries, professional training opportunities, and benefits such as childcare discounts and enhanced leave, we are committed to supporting our staff's growth and well-being while making a meaningful impact in children's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Coordinator - Kids Planet Central Support in Lymm
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Kids Planet.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Coordinator - Kids Planet Central Support in Lymm
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Kids Planet:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Kids Planet. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Kids Planet.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kids Planet
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Kids Planet!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Kids Planet. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Kids Planet's culture.
