Assistant Buyer

Are you looking for an opportunity to begin or accelerate your career in procurement and supply chain? Ontic is looking for an Assistant Buyer to join our growing Supply Chain team in Staverton. This is a development-focused role offering plenty of variety, exposure and opportunities to learn.

You might be a recent graduate looking for your first opportunity, or you may already have some experience in purchasing, procurement, planning, supply chain or a commercial environment and be ready for your next step. We are not looking for someone who knows everything already. We are looking for someone with energy, curiosity and the confidence to get involved. Someone who communicates well, builds relationships and wants to make things happen. If that sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

Why This Role?

This is not a role where you will be expected to sit quietly processing purchase orders all day. You will be part of a busy, supportive team and gain exposure to suppliers, engineering, production, quality, planning and finance. You will learn how purchasing decisions affect the wider business and gradually take on more responsibility as your knowledge and confidence grow.

There will be opportunities to:

• Build relationships with suppliers and colleagues across the business.
• Learn how to negotiate and make commercially informed decisions.
• Understand how components are sourced for the aerospace and defence industries.
• Get involved in supplier meetings, sourcing projects and improvement activities.
• Develop your problem-solving, communication and organisational skills.
• Take ownership of your own suppliers and product areas over time.
• Build a long-term career within procurement and supply chain.

You will be supported by experienced colleagues who will help you understand our systems, products, suppliers and ways of working.

What You’ll Be Doing

As an Assistant Buyer, you will help make sure the parts, materials and services needed by the business are available at the right time. Your responsibilities will develop with you, but initially you will be involved in:

• Raising and managing purchase orders.
• Speaking with suppliers about pricing, availability and delivery dates.
• Following up on outstanding orders and helping to resolve delays.
• Requesting and comparing supplier quotations.
• Keeping purchasing information accurate and up to date.
• Working with teams across Ontic to solve day-to-day supply issues.
• Supporting supplier meetings and performance reviews.
• Helping to identify supply risks and improvement opportunities.
• Learning how to work with bills of materials, specifications and technical information.
• Supporting sourcing, cost-saving and continuous improvement projects.

As you gain experience, you will have the opportunity to manage more complex suppliers, take part in negotiations and make a greater contribution to purchasing decisions.

Who We’re Looking For

We are interested in the person behind the CV. You may not have worked in aerospace before, and you may not have held a Buyer job title. What matters most is that you have the attitude and potential to grow into the role.

You are likely to be someone who:

• Is curious and enjoys learning how things work.
• Is comfortable speaking with different people and building relationships.
• Takes ownership and follows things through.
• Is organised and able to keep track of several priorities.
• Is willing to ask questions and learn from others.
• Enjoys solving problems rather than waiting for someone else to fix them.
• Brings positive energy and a practical, can-do approach.
• Wants to develop a meaningful career in procurement and supply chain.

You could be:

• A recent graduate in business, supply chain, procurement, engineering or another relevant subject.
• Someone with an apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience.
• An administrator, purchasing assistant, planner or supply chain co-ordinator ready for greater responsibility.
• Someone with one or two years’ experience in a procurement, manufacturing, engineering or commercial environment.
• Someone from a different background who can demonstrate strong organisation, communication and commercial potential.

Useful, but Not Essential

Experience with any of the following would be helpful, but please do not let this section discourage you from applying:

• Purchasing, procurement, supply chain or planning.
• Manufacturing, engineering or aerospace.
• Purchase orders, quotations or supplier communication.
• ERP or MRP systems.
• Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Technical drawings, specifications or bills of materials.
• CIPS studies or an interest in starting a professional qualification.

We know that people can be put off applying when they do not meet every requirement. You do not need to tick every box. If you have the right attitude, transferable skills and enthusiasm to learn, we want to hear from you.

About Ontic

Ontic is a leading licensor and manufacturer of complex engineering parts for the global aerospace and defence industries. We are more than just a business. We are a community of innovators. At Ontic, talent thrives, ideas flourish and careers are built. We have grown significantly in recent years and continue to create new opportunities for our people. Our culture is built around recognition, empowerment and giving colleagues the freedom to contribute, develop and make a difference.

Benefits

At Ontic, we care about your financial, physical and mental wellbeing. Our benefits include:

• Up to 29 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
• 10 hours of paid volunteering time.
• Annual goal-share bonus scheme for all employees.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Discounts and offers from a range of retailers.

Our Values

• We share a common sense - We are a global family of specialists with a shared passion for precision.
• We have the freedom to choose - We encourage people to think differently, share ideas and challenge the status quo.
• We create the opportunity - We are change-makers with a clear direction and a can-do spirit.

Ready to Get Started?

You do not need to arrive as the finished article. Bring your curiosity, drive and willingness to get involved, and we will give you the exposure and support to grow. If you have something about you and are ready to build your career in procurement and supply chain, apply today.