At a Glance
- Tasks: Support procurement processes and manage orders for diverse academic departments.
- Company: Lancaster University, a forward-thinking institution committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and support for CIPS qualifications available.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real impact on university procurement and sustainability goals.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a team player attitude required.
The predicted salary is between 26093 - 26093 £ per year.
Position Details
Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK
Salary: £26,093 full time, fixed term
Closing Date: Tuesday 07 July 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: 0425-26-R
This is a 12 month temporary position.
Job Overview
Procurement at Lancaster has undergone significant transformation in recent years. The team continues to expand its reach and is forward‑thinking in its approach to managing the full range of Purchase to Pay and Source to Contract activity for the University’s non‑pay expenditure of around £100m per year. The University has declared a Climate Emergency and set an ambitious target to be Carbon Net Zero by 2035. The Procurement Team play a key role in the delivery of this target. The Higher Education (HE) sector purchases an unparalleled range of goods and services. The Procurement team at Lancaster work with world‑leading academics and colleagues from other Professional Services areas such as Facilities and Information Systems. A wide variety of categories are managed including Laboratory Supplies & Equipment, Travel, IT, Construction, Maintenance, and Business Support Services. Procurement at Lancaster is a well‑established and mature function. We score highly on the sector‑wide best practice procurement indicators and set stretch goals to continuously improve. This is a large and ambitious team within a people‑focused organisation providing opportunities to progress and develop including supporting team members to achieve CIPS qualifications.
The role of the procurement team is to manage the university's expenditure with external suppliers. This includes sourcing, tendering, contracting and supplier management.
Responsibilities
- Working closely with other members of the operational procurement team, you will provide a high level of support to our diverse academic and research departments.
- Your main role will be to undertake the order processing activity including understanding customer needs, processing requisitions and expediting deliveries.
- You will have effective numeracy, literacy and word processing skills and be able to present information relating to the progress of work.
- You will be required to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- You will be trained in procurement and will learn to provide procurement advice in accordance with the University’s Financial Regulations and Procurement Procedures.
- You need to be a team player and able to work with other colleagues in our travel and accounts payable team, providing assistance during busy periods for any of the three areas of the purchase to pay function.
Working Arrangements
We operate hybrid working and this role can be effectively delivered from home with a minimum of 3 days a week in the office. Requests for part‑time working will be considered.
Contact
For further information or an informal chat please contact Michael Hayes, Procurement Manager on m.hayes5@lancaster.ac.uk
Equality and Diversity
The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.
Purchase to Pay Assistant - 0425-26-R employer: Lancaster University
Lancaster University is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Purchase to Pay Assistant role. With a strong commitment to employee development, including opportunities to achieve CIPS qualifications, and a focus on sustainability as part of its Climate Emergency initiative, the university fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, making it an attractive workplace for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the higher education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchase to Pay Assistant - 0425-26-R
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Purchase to Pay Assistant - 0425-26-R
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Lancaster University that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Lancaster University can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Lancaster University that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Lancaster University know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancaster University
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
