At a Glance
- Tasks: Support category management teams and manage sourcing events from start to finish.
- Company: AWE, a leading organisation dedicated to national safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 9-day working fortnight, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and make a real impact in procurement.
- Qualifications: Understanding of procurement and good communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30090 - 35000 £ per year.
AWE is recruiting for a Sourcing Event Assistant Buyer to support and work closely with the category management teams and be responsible for the administration of all on system sourcing events, inputting key information, facilitating gateway approvals and tendering activities, whilst liaising with wider AWE teams via the Contract Workspace KAHOOTZ. Please note, this is an 18-month fixed term contract.
Package: £30,090 to £35,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).
Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application. There is an opportunity to take advantage of Hybrid working which is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis.
As a Sourcing Event Assistant Buyer, your role will be to work closely with the category management teams, uploading and processing sourcing event details into JAGGAER and administrating all on system activities through the full sourcing lifecycle, from issuing tenders to contract signing and mobilisation. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with the Commercial Transformation Programme team, helping to monitor system performance and identify and implement system & process improvement opportunities.
You will be trained to enable you to be the first point of contact (POC) for escalations in the sourcing event team and given opportunities to be involved in future training on process, systems and workflows within AWE, and will be supported so you can understand what is changing, what measures to put in place and how to be prepared to support the team.
You will be accountable for:
- Support buying activities, including assisting with complex orders, ensuring requirements are met, issues resolved, and reporting maintained for SEMT leadership.
- Assist with Service Centre reporting within the assigned Tower.
- Support management of designated supplier relationships.
- Build and maintain relationships with internal SCM and stakeholders to ensure process compliance and timely order placement.
Who are we looking for?
We are ideally seeking individuals with an understanding of procurement and experience of conducting source to contract activities. You should have good communication skills, be comfortable dealing with stakeholders and have an enthusiastic can-do attitude. Experience of using online sourcing software (i.e. JAGGAER or another eSourcing System) would be beneficial but not essential as full training will be provided.
Whilst not to be considered a tick list, it would be advantageous for you to have experience in some of the following:
- Experience of using JAGGAER or a similar online eSourcing platform
- Experience of the Source to Contract process
- An understanding of wider supply chain processes.
- Knowledge of procurement strategies and how they are used.
- Working closely as a team member being an effective team collaborator
- Planning and prioritising workload.
- Accuracy in data entry and attention to detail.
- Experience working in a procurement or customer services environment.
We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:
- 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave – 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. Typical 2-3 days onsite per week.
Sourcing Event Assistant Buyer – Reading employer: Recruit4Mum
AWE is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a unique 9-day working fortnight and flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance. With a commitment to career development, including funding for professional memberships and comprehensive benefits such as generous leave policies and a market-leading pension scheme, AWE fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture where every team member plays a vital role in keeping the nation safe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sourcing Event Assistant Buyer – Reading
✨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 Sourcing Event Assistant Buyer – Reading
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 Recruit4Mum 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, Recruit4Mum 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 Recruit4Mum 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 Recruit4Mum 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 Recruit4Mum
✨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.
