At a Glance
- Tasks: Support procurement activities, manage supplier relationships, and assist with contract negotiations.
- Company: Established organisation offering a supportive and inclusive work culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, six weeks annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Ideal for those looking to develop a long-term career in procurement.
- Why this job: Gain valuable procurement experience while making a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Minimum 2 years' experience in procurement and strong communication skills.
Location: Outskirts of Maidstone – Hybrid Working (Minimum 1 Day Per Week in the Office)
Salary: Up to £33,500 per annum (DOE)
Contract: Fixed-Term Contract, Up to 12 Months (Maternity Cover)
Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
About the Role
We are recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced and motivated Buyer to join their Finance department on a fixed-term maternity cover contract for up to 12 months. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with procurement experience who is looking to further develop their skills within a supportive and established organisation. Working closely with the Head of Procurement and Procurement Manager, you will support the delivery of procurement activities, manage supplier relationships, assist with contract negotiations and ensure purchasing processes are carried out efficiently and in line with company policies.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with the selection and negotiation of new and existing supplier contracts.
- Manage requests for quotation (RFQs) and sourcing activities using ProContract Due North.
- Ensure purchase orders are raised accurately and promptly in accordance with procurement policies.
- Support internal departments with purchasing and procurement-related queries.
- Assist the Procurement Manager with contract renewals, agreement reviews and the timely signing of contracts.
- Coordinate supplier onboarding, ensuring all required documentation, due diligence checks and internal approvals are completed.
- Maintain strong working relationships with approved suppliers.
- Conduct supplier service reviews and assist with audits of key suppliers.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and support the delivery of procurement savings targets.
- Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Support the wider procurement team with day-to-day administrative and purchasing activities.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a proactive, organised and detail-oriented individual with experience in procurement or purchasing. The successful candidate will ideally have:
- A minimum of 2 years' experience within a procurement or purchasing environment.
- Knowledge of general purchasing procedures, particularly Purchase to Pay (P2P).
- Strong numerical and literacy skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
- A CIPS qualification in progress or a willingness to work towards one.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- The ability to build and maintain professional relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- A professional, flexible and proactive approach to work.
- The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
- A keen interest in developing a long-term career within procurement.
Candidate must be able to drive due to location. Candidates with relevant transferable skills and a willingness to develop within procurement will also be considered.
Benefits
- Hybrid working arrangements, with a minimum of 1 day per week in the office.
- Six weeks' annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Pension scheme with competitive employer contribution options.
- Professional development and training opportunities.
- Social impact benefit schemes.
- Supportive and inclusive working environment.
Buyer - 12 Month Contract in Maidstone employer: Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
Join a dynamic and innovative team as a Manufacturing Engineer in Medway, where you'll have the opportunity to lead impactful production engineering projects and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, offering you the chance to enhance your skills while contributing to cutting-edge manufacturing processes. With competitive salary packages and a commitment to employee development, we are dedicated to creating a rewarding environment for our engineers.
Contact Details:
Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - 12 Month Contract in Maidstone
✨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 Buyer - 12 Month Contract in Maidstone
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 Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd 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, Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd 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 Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd 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 Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd 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 Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
✨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.
