Coordinator, Purchasing

JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Coordinator, Purchasing

Reports To: Manager, Purchasing

Working Hours: Normal office hours are 09:30 to 17:30, Monday – Thursday, 09:30 to 17:00 Friday

Place of Work: UK HQ, Mill Court, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK12 5EU

In Office Days: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday with Wednesday & Fridays being work from home

Other: Full Time / Mobile

Job Summary

Based at our Milton Keynes headquarters, the Purchasing Coordinator sits within the Global Procurement team and reports into the Purchasing Manager, playing a key role in supporting project delivery across the business. With a primary focus on UK‑based projects, the role is responsible for sourcing suppliers, managing purchasing activity, and negotiating competitive commercial terms to drive cost savings and best value outcomes.

In addition, the Purchasing Coordinator will support purchasing and procurement activities across our wider group of entities, working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure all activity aligns with global procurement strategy, policies, and standards.

Key Tasks

• Lead day to day purchasing activities, including raising and managing purchase orders in line with approved budgets and procurement policies
• Take ownership of purchasing tasks, demonstrating strong organisation, attention to detail, and accountability
• Source, evaluate, and onboard suppliers to support project and business requirements, with a strong focus on UK based projects
• Negotiate competitive pricing, payment terms, and commercial conditions to deliver best value and drive cost savings across projects
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives within purchasing activities
• Work closely with project teams and internal stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure timely purchasing support
• Monitor supplier performance, order progress, and delivery commitments, escalating risks or issues where required
• Ensure all purchasing activity complies with global procurement strategy, governance, and internal controls
• Support procurement activity across other global entities as needed, ensuring consistency and alignment across the group
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, contracts, and supplier information within procurement systems
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to support long‑term value
• Contribute positively to the effectiveness and continuous improvement of the Global Procurement team

Qualifications & Skills

• Genuine interest in building a career in purchasing and procurement
• Understanding of purchasing principles and commercial concepts, with a willingness to learn sourcing and negotiation skills
• Ability to support supplier sourcing activities and assist with commercial discussions to achieve best value
• Awareness of purchase order processes, approvals, and procurement controls (training will be provided where needed)
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when working with purchasing data and documentationClear and confident communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Proactive and solution‑focused mindset, with an interest in identifying efficiencies and cost‑saving opportunities
• Ability to work independently while also contributing as part of a global procurement team
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• Studying towards, or interest in pursuing, a qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field

Experience

• Previous experience in an administrative, purchasing, procurement, or commercial support role job
• Exposure to supplier interactions, order processing, or supporting purchasing activities (desirable)
• Experience raising or supporting purchase orders, invoices, or approvals within a system or spreadsheet environment (desirable)
• Experience supporting multiple tasks or projects simultaneously in a structured environment
• Experience working with internal stakeholders such as project teams, finance, or operations (desirable)
• Basic understanding of cost control, budgeting, or value‑focused decision‑making (desirable)
• Experience following processes, controls, and approval frameworks (desirable)
• Any experience within a project‑based, fast‑paced, or multi‑department environment (desirable)
• Experience within a global or multi‑entity organisation (advantageous but not required)

Company Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Company Pension
• 25 days paid holiday excluding Bank Holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Computer (Mac/Windows)
• Company Phone Allowance
• Flexible working (office/remote)
• Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
• Childcare Support Policy
• Employer Sponsored Vision Programme

Please Note: While this is intended to be an accurate description of the job, this is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the position, and may require that other or different tasks be performed as necessary and assigned.

Diversity And Inclusion Statement

DIVERSE IS WHO WE ARE

Way more than a box to check, diversity is core to RWS Global culture. We value it, promote it, protect it and hire it. All differences are welcome here. We know for a fact that each employee’s individual background, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, and capabilities are a contribution to our culture, as well as our reputation and achievements.

So, bring all of who you are, no questions asked.