At a Glance
- Tasks: Support procurement by sourcing goods and services while building strong supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Unite Students, the UK's leading provider of student accommodation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values individuality and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic team focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a desire to learn in procurement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Unite Students has an amazing opportunity for a Junior Buyer in our growing Procurement team. Reporting to the Head of FM Procurement, the role will support the Procurement team by providing procurement advice across the areas of Soft FM, small capex and Business Services (Office, Travel etc). Ensuring value for money through sourcing goods and services along with fostering effective supplier and operational relationships to optimise performance and minimise supply chain risk.
What You'll Be Doing
- Sourcing and commercial support for operationally focussed services such as waste collection & security services, high volume goods provision (including white goods, fixed and loose furniture, mattresses, small electrical), operational spares and products including janitorial, stationery and uniform.
- The role will work closely with the Head of Procurement - FM to ensure purchases comply with company procurement policies.
- Assist with contract documentation and supplier agreements.
- Support due diligence checks (e.g., insurance, compliance documentation).
- Maintain excellent customer relationships with operation and regional estates frontline and leadership teams to enable fast problem solving and a 'one-team' mentality.
- Manage sourcing processes (including tenders, RFQs, negotiations) for accountable categories.
- Provide procurement advice to the team and business stakeholders.
- Develop and build market expertise to enable innovation.
- Ability to build relationships and rapport regardless of individual or level.
- A customer-first mindset to ensure the supply requirements of the business are fully understood.
What We're Looking for in You
- Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication, able to influence stakeholders and suppliers alike and achieve negotiation successfully.
- Commercial skills: Able to identify what is important and how it contributes to the success of our business and to that of our suppliers, delivering value through a variety of means.
- Accountability: Able to prioritise work, meet deadlines and targets.
- Analytical Skills: A curious individual, with strong problem solving skills and techniques. Able to understand and carry out analysis and draw out conclusions.
- Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of Procurement processes, specifically Supplier Relationship Management and Contracts Management is desirable but not essential.
- Team/Customer Focus: Demonstrates customer-first behaviour.
- Motivation: Strong desire to learn and develop in the Procurement/Supply Chain areas.
What You'll Get in Return
- A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company's success.
- 25 days' paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service.
- A generous pension scheme - employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save.
- Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends.
- Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents.
- Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!
About Unite Students
Founded in 1991, Unite Students is the UK's leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 23 leading university towns and cities, with 70,000 students calling us home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.
Instinctive Inclusion: We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn't just what we do but who we are. People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.
Room for Everyone: We're proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we're passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with passion. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.
Junior Buyer in Bristol employer: Unite Students
Unite Students is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises inclusion and collaboration. As a Junior Buyer, you'll benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a generous benefits package including a discretionary annual bonus, enhanced family leave, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. With a focus on fostering strong relationships and a customer-first mindset, you'll thrive in an environment that values your contributions and supports your growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the procurement field on LinkedIn or at industry events. Building relationships can open doors and give you insider info about job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Unite Students and understanding their values. Show how your skills align with their mission, especially around customer-first behaviour and teamwork.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Junior Buyer, you'll need to influence stakeholders and suppliers. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Junior Buyer role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, especially in procurement and supplier relationship management.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since strong written communication is key, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use professional language but keep it friendly – we want to see your personality shine through!
Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset:In your application, mention any experiences where you've used analytical skills to solve problems or make decisions. This will show us you're curious and capable of understanding complex procurement processes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our Procurement team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unite Students
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially Supplier Relationship Management and Contracts Management. Even if you don't have extensive experience, showing that you're familiar with these concepts will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since strong communication is key for this role, prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced stakeholders or resolved conflicts in the past. Practising clear and concise responses will help you convey your thoughts effectively during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset
Be ready to discuss how you've approached problem-solving in previous roles. Think of specific instances where your analytical skills led to a positive outcome, and be prepared to explain your thought process during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Customer-First Approach
Unite Students values a customer-first mindset, so come prepared with examples of how you've prioritised customer needs in your work. Highlighting your ability to build relationships and foster collaboration will show that you're a great fit for their team.
