Assistant Buyer

Virtual Bridges; Newport; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement company in Newport is seeking an Assistant Buyer to help deliver the Procurement Strategy and support contract management. This hybrid position requires strong procurement experience and effective communication skills. Key responsibilities include supporting sourcing events, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and demonstrate commercial awareness. The role offers excellent benefits including flexible working and retail discounts.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Retail discounts

Onsite parking

Qualifications

• Broad procurement experience with a relevant degree and/or progress towards a professional procurement qualification.
• Strong commercial awareness and relationship-building skills.
• Good understanding of procurement regulations, contract processes, procedures, and best practice.

Responsibilities

• Support tender events and conduct market analysis.
• Help implement new suppliers following contract award.
• Act as first point of contact for supplier queries and guidance.

Skills

Broad procurement experience

Strong commercial awareness

Good understanding of procurement regulations

Clear written and verbal communication

Strong analytical and organisational skills

Customer-focused mindset

Education

Relevant degree or progress towards professional procurement qualification

Job description

Permanent opportunity for an Assistant Buyer to join a leading company based in Newport to support the delivery of the Procurement Strategy and Annual Procurement Plan by helping to run sourcing events, support contract management and drive value from supplier relationships.

This is a hybrid position 50% office based throughout the week, superb benefits package including flexible working opportunities, retail discounts and onsite parking.

Role Summary

Reporting to the Category Manager within a central Procurement team, this role supports the delivery of planned and ad-hoc sourcing events, as well as day-to-day procurement and contract management activity. It helps monitor supplier performance, resolve procurement queries and support continuous improvement across the procurement function.

Key Responsibilities

• Support tender events, including data collection, market analysis, stakeholder identification, post-tender analysis and contributing to negotiations and award papers.
• Help implement new suppliers and processes following contract award to ensure a smooth transition into business‑as‑usual.
• Act as a first point of contact for suppliers and internal stakeholders on sourcing, contract and procurement system queries, including providing user guidance or training.
• Maintain an effective Approved Vendor List to ensure a suitable pool of competent, accredited suppliers in line with procurement policy.
• Support stakeholder compliance with procurement policies, procedures and processes, and contribute to the development and roll‑out of any updates.
• Ensure accurate administration of records, contracts and related documentation, including vendor and framework order data.
• Assist with wider departmental tasks and procurement improvement initiatives as required.

Skills And Experience

• Broad procurement experience with a relevant degree and/or progress towards a professional procurement qualification (e.g. MCIPS).
• Strong commercial awareness and relationship‑building skills.
• Good understanding of procurement regulations, contract processes, procedures and best practice.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact at different levels.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills, able to prioritise, multitask and work under own initiative and as part of a team.
• An energetic, flexible, customer‑focused individual who takes ownership of delivering against performance objectives.
• Please apply ASAP