Assistant Buyer

OCU; Stockport; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

OCU Group is seeking an Assistant Buyer to join the Procurement team at Stockport. The role focuses on supporting end-to-end purchasing processes, building strong supplier relationships and ensuring spend is controlled.

You will work with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing requirements and help with future demand planning, pricing negotiations and supplier performance monitoring. This is an excellent chance to grow in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in Purchasing, Procurement or Supply Chain environments.
• Understanding of the procure-to-pay process.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence working with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support the end-to-end procurement process from requisition to PO placement.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Work with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing requirements and plan demand.
• Assist with pricing, supplier agreements and service levels negotiations.
• Review quotations, contracts, terms and specifications for compliance.
• Ensure purchasing activity aligns with company policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with Accounts Payable to support efficient procure-to-pay processes.
• Monitor supplier performance and address issues as needed.
• Identify alternative suppliers and sourcing options to reduce risk.
• Review procurement or spend data to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support supplier compliance and diversity initiatives.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier records.

Skills

Purchasing

Procurement

Supply chain

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPS

Supply Chain qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The Opportunity

Due to continued growth, we are looking for an Assistant Buyer to join our Procurement team at OCU Group.

Application Deadline: 25 October 2026

Department: Corporate Services

Location: Stockport - Finance Hub

This is a great opportunity for someone with experience in purchasing, procurement or supply chain who is looking to develop their career within a fast-paced and growing business.

Working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers, you will support the procurement of goods and services across the business. You'll play an important role in ensuring requirements are sourced efficiently, suppliers are managed effectively and spend is controlled.

This is a varied role offering exposure across supplier management, purchasing, cost analysis, contract support and the wider procure-to-pay process.

What You'll Do

• Support the end-to-end procurement process, from initial requisition through to purchase order placement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and service providers.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing requirements and support future demand planning.
• Support the negotiation of pricing, supplier agreements and service levels.
• Assist with reviewing supplier quotations, contracts, terms and specifications.
• Ensure purchasing activity is completed in line with company policies, procedures and procurement requirements.
• Work closely with the Accounts Payable team to support an efficient procure-to-pay process and resolve purchasing queries.
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery requirements and invoice accuracy, addressing issues where required.
• Support the identification of alternative suppliers and sourcing options to reduce risk and improve supply chain resilience.
• Review procurement and spend data to identify opportunities for cost savings and improved efficiency.
• Support supplier compliance and diversity initiatives.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier records.

Essential

What you’ll bring

• Previous experience within a Purchasing, Procurement, Buying or Supply Chain environment.
• Good understanding of the purchasing and procure-to-pay process.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence working with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of cost and value.
• A proactive approach with strong problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience within Construction, Utilities, Energy, Infrastructure or a similar operational environment.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and supporting commercial agreements.
• Exposure to supplier performance management, KPIs or SLAs.
• Experience using procurement, ERP or purchasing systems.
• Experience reviewing procurement or spend data.
• Understanding of contracts, supplier terms and conditions.
• A relevant qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain or CIPS

To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process is, by emailing [e-mail].