Procurement Trainee in Leicester

Description

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to join the Procurement Services team at NEXT. Sitting at the heart of both our Online and Retail divisions, our team manages an annual spend of £320 million across 350+ suppliers. We oversee key operational categories including Energy, Packaging, Travel, Catering, Facilities, and Technology, alongside leading digital eSourcing events that deliver significant value to the business.

We do not expect you to know everything on day one. We provide comprehensive training and development. What matters most is your genuine passion for procurement, a proactive attitude, and a strong drive to learn and evolve with us.

As a Trainee, you will provide essential operational support while developing your expertise in professional procurement. Working directly within Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) categories, you will analyse data, work with complex datasets, and gain hands-on commercial experience. Supporting our Supply Analysts and Buyers, you will help ensure our daily purchasing processes run smoothly and efficiently.

What You Will Take On

Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) are products and services a retail business buys to support its operations but does not sell to customers.

Buying and Commercial Support

• GNFR Exposure: Assist Supply Analysts and Buyers with tender administration and data analysis across diverse GNFR categories, demonstrating a strong interest in how commercial operations run.

• Small-Scale Sourcing: Obtain competitive quotes for item reorders and manage small purchasing projects, keeping stakeholders informed.

• Quality Control: Review buying samples to ensure they align with our strict quality standards and specifications.

• Supplier Performance: Gather operational feedback for supplier review meetings to help drive continuous improvement.

• CSR Support: Assist with gathering and submitting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) data across the GNFR function.

Procure-to-Pay (P2P) and Order Management

• Supplier Compliance: Support best-practice P2P processes, ensuring invoices are paid in line with terms and resolving root causes of payment failures.

• Purchase Orders (POs): Raise accurate POs, pre-approve orders, and manage authorisers promptly.

• Order Support: Monitor orders and assist with delivery schedules to maintain operational continuity.

• New Store Openings: Support the GNFR, retail services, and marketing setup processes for new store launches.

• Allocations: Assist with retail sale surveys and store allocations.

Finance and Data Administration

• Finance Collaboration: Support the Finance team during month-end and budget processes by compiling spend information and supplier data.

• Data Accuracy: Maintain the invoice coding master file to ensure offshore teams execute payments accurately.

What You Will Bring

• Passionate About Procurement: A clear interest in commercial operations, data analysis, and learning how Goods Not For Resale (GNFR) purchasing powers a large-scale business.

• Relevant Degree: A degree-level qualification, ideally in Procurement, Buying, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline. We’re looking for someone with the academic foundation and enthusiasm to develop a career in procurement.

• Proactive Mindset: You bring a practical, positive approach to your work and are eager to take on new challenges to build a long-term career.

• Highly Organised: Exceptional administrative skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Clear Communicator: Comfortable speaking with suppliers and internal colleagues, ensuring everyone stays aligned.

• Numerical and Digital Skills: Confident working with data and spreadsheets, including Excel or Google Sheets. Prior experience with administrative or finance systems is helpful, but full training will be provided.

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