Junior Buyer jobs
Procurement is a job that might look pretty straightforward on the face of it, but actually involves a good deal of skill and experience, not to mention a little black book full of contacts, to make it work successfully. However there are also many tasks in the job, such as routinely seeking out new clients and making initial contact with them, which many companies can consider inefficient use of procurement expertise , which can be costly.
This is why larger companies will employ junior buyers. They will probably be business graduates, young, able people starting out on their procurement careers but not experienced enough to be entrusted with running a department themselves. Reporting to a senior buyer or purchasing manager, they will be given relatively rigid instructions such as researching very specific data or they will be given lists of contacts to approach with propositions or enquiries, but the bulk of any negotiation, data interpretation, decision-making and sign-offs will be passed to those above him or her.
However, the junior buyer will, as time goes by and as she or he becomes more familiar with the job, gradually start to take more of the initiative when it comes to making decisions. Eventually they will drop the “junior” tag and become simply a buyer or a senior buyer as they make their way up the corporate ladder.
The skills required
Junior buyers will generally be sourced from the graduate pool, perhaps business graduates or possibly those who graduated in a field related to the company’s main sector. However, people without degrees might be considered if they have experience of a sales or buying position elsewhere.
Applicants will definitely need to have a high level of numeracy and literacy, as there will be a good deal of data gathering and communication in the job. IT skills will also be required, especially in the office solutions that are most common. Candidates should also be able to display a good deal of enthusiasm for the work and an ability to absorb information and take instructions.
Most employers will not take on junior buyers with the intention of their remaining juniors for long, however. The role will probably come with a timetable of milestones that demonstrate their growing experience and ability to perform their roles with minimal assistance as they develop.
Junior Buyer Jobs in Cheltenham
Cheltenham is a historic spa town (sometimes called Cheltenham Spa) in Gloucestershire, about 7 miles (12 km) to the east of the county town, Gloucester. The town grew in popularity after a royal visit in the late 1700s, which brought its mineral waters national renown. It is known internationally as a site of festivals. There are the Literature, Jazz, Science and Music festivals to occupy the locals and bring in tourists, but most famous of all is the one simply called the Cheltenham Festival, a week-long National Hunt horse-racing event culminating in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The town is a hotbed of high-tech industry, too, with electronics and aerospace playing their parts in the local economy. Tourism is and important wealth creator too. The west of the town is dominated by the UK’s national intelligence and eavesdropping centre, the GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), an organisation that dates back to the First World War and has been at Cheltenham since 1951. During the Second World War it was located at the famous Bletchley Park.
The blend of hi-tech industry, an affluent populace and a thriving retail sector make Cheltenham a prime location for a variety of supply chain, logistics and procurement positions, and Junior Buyer jobs will appear in and around the time from time to time, although GCHQ will probably know about it before we do!
Popular locations
Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Cast UK were founded by specialists in logistics, supply chain and procurement, and our consultants are also drawn from these backgrounds, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for when they come to us. In fact, employers often approach us to find managerial and executive candidates before they are advertised, so if you’re in procurement, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Whether you’re relocating for personal reasons or are simply looking for more job fulfilment, there could well be an employer who’s looking for the skills you have. At any given time, Cast UK have jobs all over the UK, so wherever you live, or plan to live, we are well placed to find work that suits your skills.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Junior Buyer for your business or find you a job as a Junior Buyer then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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