Procurement & Supply Chain Undergraduate Placement in Milton Keynes

Procurement & Supply Chain Undergraduate Placement in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Placement 40209 - 49145 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support supplier performance and manage customer queries in a dynamic Fleet Supply team.
  • Company: Join VWFS, a leading company focused on innovation and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, personal development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Enjoy hybrid working, social events, and health support throughout your placement.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your career with real projects and build valuable networks.
  • Qualifications: Must be studying for an undergraduate degree requiring a placement year.

The predicted salary is between 40209 - 49145 £ per year.

Location: Milton Keynes

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

Salary: £23,915.49

Contract: 12-13 months FTC

Start dates are usually in June/July.

Hybrid working: We want you to get the best out of your placement, so we operate a hybrid policy where undergraduates work in the office 3 days per week. There may be times where you will need to be in more frequently depending on the needs of the business.

To apply for our undergraduate placement scheme, you must be studying for an undergraduate degree that requires a placement year. Master’s students are not eligible for this placement. Please consider before applying if you live more than 60 minutes away from post code MK15 8HG, that you would need to relocate to either Milton Keynes or be a commutable distance (within 60 minutes).

Are you organised, analytical and motivated by delivering great customer outcomes? Join our Fleet Supply team as a Procurement & Supply Chain Undergraduate, supporting supplier performance, invoicing, reporting and customer query resolution across the Fleet business. This is a varied placement where you will work with internal teams, suppliers and corporate customers while developing skills in analysis, stakeholder management and continuous improvement.

What will you be doing?

  • Collate and analyse supplier performance, helping populate a monthly senior management dashboard.
  • Complete verification checks on supplier invoices to ensure services purchased are paid accurately.
  • Raise invoices to customers for services purchased and consolidate customer monthly bills.
  • Own the management of telematics operational queries.
  • Support Fleet Supplier Managers in review meetings and prepare performance reports to drive supplier improvements.
  • Act as an initial contact point for stakeholders with queries about suppliers or selected supplier services.
  • Support tendering for new services, including reading and scoring bidder responses, attending presentations and completing site visits.
  • Help the team deliver continuous business change through innovative thinking.

What are we looking for?

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to manage relationships with stakeholders across the business.
  • A team player with the ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
  • Excellent organisational skills and ability to use your own initiative through creative thinking, problem solving and critical analysis.
  • High levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Advanced PC literacy, especially Microsoft Office and Excel for reporting requirements.
  • Ability to present findings verbally as well as through written reports and presentations.
  • Strong customer focus with a determination to resolve customer queries first time.

Why apply for an undergraduate placement with VWFS?

Here at VWFS you'll be able to kick start your professional experience in the workplace. We take on 49 undergraduates each year which we find really helps our undergraduates as you all go through the programme, building your knowledge and networks together.

You’ll also benefit from:

  • A focus on personal development with access to LinkedIn Learning via our ‘Degreed’ platform and a bespoke development programme throughout your placement year delivering personal management, technical and soft skills including building successful relationships, presentation skills, IT skills and data literacy.
  • A supportive environment and network of colleagues to help you get your best out of the year - in a recent survey, 100% of our undergraduates said they felt valued and supported.
  • The opportunity to work on real life business projects and deliver impact around topics like sustainability.
  • Subsidised onsite canteen and coffee shop.
  • Subsidised onsite restaurant with a range of hot and cold breakfast and lunches.
  • Employee Resource Groups supporting an inclusive workplace.
  • Social gatherings and team events & volunteering opportunities.
  • Physical and mental health support with our Onsite Wellbeing Centre.

Discretionary benefits include:

  • Bonus: Discretionary bonus based on both personal and Group company performance (pro-rated).
  • Car schemes: The opportunity to join our popular car scheme plus car insurance cover.
  • Pension: Employer pension contribution of 9% (based on employee contribution of 3%). VWFS will pay 6% if employee chooses a 2% employee contribution.
  • From day 1 we provide income protection, life assurance (4x salary), will writing, retail discount vouchers, access to Care Concierge (a service to support carers of adults).
  • Private medical insurance is available following successful completion of probation.

Please note: Our undergraduate placement roles do not meet the UKVI’s criteria for the skilled worker sponsorship route, therefore we are unable to accept candidates requiring sponsorship for this role.

Please do not apply for more than one placement role with us. This will ensure that you are considered for the placement that you are most interested in, and your skills are aligned to.

Procurement & Supply Chain Undergraduate Placement in Milton Keynes employer: Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)

Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a dynamic work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, employees benefit from a hybrid working model, competitive remuneration, and opportunities for continuous improvement in their roles. Located in Milton Keynes, the company offers a supportive environment where you can make a meaningful impact while developing your career in a globally recognised organisation.

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Contact Details:

Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Procurement & Supply Chain Undergraduate Placement in Milton Keynes

Get Involved in Procurement Networks

Join procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like LinkedIn or local meetups. These communities are buzzing with opportunities and insights into the industry, and connecting with professionals in the field can lead to valuable insider tips or even referrals for placements.

Leverage University Career Services

Don't underestimate the power of your university's career services. They often have partnerships with companies looking for placement students in procurement. Check their job boards regularly, attend career fairs, and make sure to ask them about specific opportunities they may have with companies like Volkswagen Financial Services (UK).

Showcase Your Skills on Sector-Specific Platforms

Create a compelling LinkedIn profile that highlights your procurement skills and any projects you've worked on, even if they're academic. Use keywords relevant to procurement so you can appear in searches by recruiters looking for placement candidates.

Network at Industry Events

Keep an eye out for procurement conferences, workshops, or webinars—these are golden opportunities to meet industry leaders. If you can chat with someone from Volkswagen Financial Services (UK), do it! Demonstrating interest in their work could lead to a placement opportunity down the line. Plus, you’ll gain insights that could help you stand out in interviews.

We think you need these skills to ace Procurement & Supply Chain Undergraduate Placement in Milton Keynes

Analytical Skills
Organisational Skills
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Microsoft Office

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Negotiation Skills:In procurement and purchasing, it's all about negotiation! Make sure to highlight any experiences you have in your CV or cover letter where you’ve successfully negotiated deals, whether in a previous job, during your studies, or even in a group project. Demonstrating your ability to secure value for money will definitely catch the eye of our team at Volkswagen Financial Services (UK).

Highlight Relevant Coursework or Projects:As this is a placement, we want to see your potential and enthusiasm for the procurement world. Include any relevant coursework, projects, or case studies from your studies that relate specifically to purchasing processes or supply chain management. This shows us you’ve got a solid theoretical background to complement your practical application!

Tailor Your Documentation:We expect applications that reflect a real interest in the role. Don’t just send us a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application documents to reflect the specific skills and knowledge needed for the procurement field. Mention specific tools or methodologies you've learned about during your studies or any certificates you’d gained that are relevant.

Convey Your Passion in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Let us know why you're excited about the placement at Volkswagen Financial Services (UK). Share any personal experiences that sparked your interest in procurement. Maybe you encountered challenges during a project that required you to think like a buyer? This personal touch can really set your application apart!

How to prepare for a job interview at Volkswagen Financial Services (UK)

Understanding the Procurement Landscape

For a placement in procurement, it’s vital we grasp the current trends and challenges in the supply chain. Make sure to read up on topics like sustainable sourcing or inventory management, as they'll likely come up in discussions, so we can showcase our knowledge about the industry.

Know Your Tools

Be familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, like SAP Ariba or Coupa. If we mention experience or knowledge of these tools in our interview with Volkswagen Financial Services (UK), it’ll show we’re ready to hit the ground running and can make an instant impact.

Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to discuss how you approach analysing vendor proposals or evaluating supplier performance. We might be asked to walk through a situation where we had to make data-driven decisions. Having a couple of examples ready to illustrate our analytical mindset will really set us apart.

Show Enthusiasm for Learning

Since this is a placement, potential employers like Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) will be looking for our motivation and eagerness to learn. Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or internships where we've taken initiative. This shows we’re not just about the skills, but also about growing in the procurement field.