Junior Buyer / Supply Chain Coordinator

Role: Junior Buyer / Supply Chain Coordinator / entry level of direct procurement or logistics

Hybrid working: 3x days office based 2x days remote

Office Location: Swindon SN5

Salary: £28,000–£36,000 depending on experience

Reports to: Supply Chain Manager

Level: Graduate - 5 years experience

Sector: automotive, manufacturing, engineering and defence

The Junior Buyer / Supply Chain Coordinator is responsible for providing day-to-day operational support to the Procurement and Supply Chain function.

The ideal applicant will have direct procurement or logistics experience from an automotive, manufacturing, engineering experience background.

Ideally we are looking for someone who would be happy to start with goods-in activities, inspection, ERP administration and general supply chain support before progressing into procurement processes and continuous improvement activities.

The role supports the effective administration of purchasing activities, supplier communication, order expediting, goods movement coordination and the maintenance of accurate supply chain data.

The role provides operational support across purchasing, supplier management, goods receipt, shipping coordination and supply chain administration activities.

The Junior Buyer / Supply Chain Coordinator works closely with internal stakeholders across engineering, quality, assembly, finance and project delivery to ensure purchasing and supply chain priorities are progressed in line with business requirements.

The role is a junior-level position within an engineering and manufacturing environment and is intended to support the development of purchasing, supplier management, production support and supply chain improvement capabilities. As the business grows, the post holder may develop into broader procurement or supply chain responsibilities, subject to business need, performance and capability.

The role reports directly to the Supply Chain Manager.

This is a hands-on role. You'll be raising purchase orders, speaking to suppliers, chasing deliveries, keeping our purchasing and ERP information accurate and helping make sure the right materials and components are in the right place at the right time.

For someone looking to build a career in procurement and supply chain, it offers a great opportunity to gain experience within a fast-moving engineering environment and work closely with Engineering, Quality, Assembly, Finance and Project teams.

We're growing quickly, so you'll also have the opportunity to get involved in improving how we work as our supply chain capability develops.

Responsibilities

Purchasing & Supplier Management

Raise purchase orders for components, materials, sub-assemblies and subcontract services in accordance with approved requirements and company procedures.

Obtain supplier quotations and support supplier selection activities as directed by the Supply Chain Manager.

Monitor order acknowledgements and maintain accurate purchase order records.

Proactively expedite purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure delivery commitments are met.

Escalate delivery risks, supply constraints or quality concerns in a timely manner.

Supply Chain Coordination

Maintain purchasing trackers, open order reports and procurement records to support delivery visibility.

Support management of supplier lead times, pricing information and supplier performance data.

Assist with supplier onboarding activities and collection of quality, commercial and compliance documentation.

Support supply chain improvement initiatives, reporting activities and process development projects.

Goods In / Goods Out Support

Support Goods In activities, including receipt verification, delivery documentation checks and coordination with stores, quality and assembly teams.

Assist with Goods Out activities, including shipment preparation, documentation and coordination with suppliers, customers and logistics providers.

Help maintain accurate inventory and material movement records.

Support traceability and documentation requirements where applicable.

Cross-Functional Support

Liaise with Engineering, Quality, Assembly, Finance and Project teams to support project and production requirements.

Assist in preparing subcontract work packages and supplier information packs.

Provide purchasing status updates and supply chain information to support project reviews and planning activities.

Represent Procurement and Supply Chain professionally in all internal and external interactions.

What you'll be doing

You'll work closely with our Supply Chain Manager and wider business to:

• Raise and maintain purchase orders for components, materials, sub-assemblies and subcontract services.

• Obtain supplier quotations and support purchasing decisions.

• Monitor order acknowledgements and proactively chase suppliers and deliveries.

• Keep purchasing records, ERP data, trackers and open-order information accurate and up to date.

• Identify and escalate potential delivery, quality or supply issues before they become bigger problems.

• Support supplier onboarding and maintain relevant supplier documentation.

• Help coordinate Goods In and Goods Out activities, including documentation and material movements.

• Support inventory accuracy and traceability.

• Liaise with Engineering,

• Quality, Assembly, Finance and Project teams to understand and support their requirements.

• Help develop and improve our purchasing and supply chain processes as the business grows.

What we're looking for:

You don't necessarily need years of procurement experience. We're more interested in finding someone organised, proactive and comfortable taking ownership of the detail. Ideally, you'll have:

• Some experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, stores, administration or a manufacturing environment.

• Previous experience in a purchasing, procurement, supply chain, stores, administration or manufacturing support role.

• Good attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records, order information and supplier data.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders, priorities and deadlines.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with confidence liaising with suppliers and internal teams.

• A practical interest in engineering, manufacturing or technical products, with a willingness to learn supplier and product requirements.

• Ability to follow purchasing processes, seek guidance where required and escalate issues appropriately.

• Effective use of Microsoft Office Software Suite: PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and Excel as a minimum.

• Experience using, or willingness to learn, ERP or purchasing systems.

• Right to work in the UK.

• Ability to obtain and hold suitable UK Security Vetting, if required for the role.

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience working in an engineering, aerospace, defence, manufacturing or technical supply chain environment.

• Basic understanding of purchase orders, supplier quotations, lead times, delivery schedules and goods-in processes.

• Interest in developing towards CIPS or another relevant procurement or supply chain qualification.

• Familiarity with ERP, MRP or stock control systems.

• Hold a valid full UK driving licence.

Experience within engineering, aerospace, defence or manufacturing would be useful, but isn't essential.

We're also interested in people who are curious about improving how things are done, including using digital tools, automation and AI where they can make our processes better.

Career Development:

This role provides a strong foundation for someone wanting to develop a career in procurement and supply chain.

You'll gain practical experience across purchasing, supplier management, expediting, production support and supply chain operations, with the opportunity to broaden your responsibilities as your experience and the business develop.

Our environment is fastpaced, practical and collaborative. We value people who take ownership, get things done and aren't afraid to challenge how something is currently done if there's a better way