Assistant Buyer

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

Job summary

A dynamic procurement team in the UK is seeking an Assistant Buyer to manage supplier relationships and oversee purchasing processes. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and negotiation skills, enabling them to drive cost savings and ensure compliance. Join a collaborative environment where you can make a tangible impact and develop your career in procurement.

Qualifications

• Proactive, detail-oriented mindset with great communication skills.
• Strong numerical skills and ability in negotiation.
• Eager to grow in procurement and deliver business impact.

Responsibilities

• Nurture strong relationships with suppliers to align with goals.
• Own procurement process ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop procurement plans.
• Support negotiation on pricing and service agreements.
• Champion supplier diversity and monitor performance.
• Contribute to supply chain risk management strategies.
• Analyze spend data for cost-saving opportunities.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Purchasing

Organizational skills

AS400

Math

Pricing

Analysis Skills

Merchandising

Microsoft Excel

Retail Math

Administrative Experience

Negotiation

Job description

Assistant Buyer Join Our Dynamic Procurement Team!

Are you ready to take your next step in procurement? We’re looking for an Assistant Buyer who is eager to make an impact, driving value, building supplier relationships, and supporting smooth, efficient purchasing operations.

As part of our high-performing procurement team you’ll play a key role in ensuring we get the best products and services at the right price from the right partners, keeping our business moving and our projects on track.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supplier Management: Help nurture strong relationships with key suppliers and partners to align with our goals and performance standards.
• Procurement Process: Own the process from requisition to purchase order ensuring accuracy, compliance and minimal rework. Collaborate closely with Accounts Payable to keep P2P running smoothly.
• Collaboration: Work hand‑in‑hand with stakeholders across departments to gather requirements, forecast demand and build smart procurement plans.
• Negotiation & Contracts: Support negotiations on pricing and service level agreements that deliver savings and reduce risk.
• Compliance & Diversity: Champion supplier diversity and monitor supplier performance to ensure accuracy and accountability.
• Risk Management: Understand and contribute to strategies that keep our supply chain resilient and responsive.
• Cost & Data Analysis: Review spend data to uncover cost‑saving and efficiency opportunities.

What You Bring

• A proactive, detail‑oriented mindset with great communication skills.
• A knack for numbers, negotiation and building strong working relationships.
• A desire to grow your career in procurement and make a tangible business impact.

Why Join Us

You’ll be part of a collaborative, forward‑thinking team that values fresh ideas, efficiency and continuous improvement. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your procurement expertise and play a real part in our success story.

Ready to make your mark? Apply today and take your buying career to the next level!

Driven by values powered by inclusion.

At OCU our values guide everything we do: integrity, collaboration, respect, innovation and one company united. They shape how we work with our clients, communities and each other. We believe that inclusion is more than a principle; it’s the foundation of our success. By embracing equity and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive, we create a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone feels they belong.

Together we build stronger teams, deliver better outcomes and grow in ways that reflect the communities we serve. If you want to be part of a culture where values matter and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, apply now and help us shape the future together.

If you are invited to progress in the recruitment process and will require any reasonable adjustments to support you, please let us know so we can ensure the process is accessible and fair for you. Any information you share will be treated confidentially and will only be used to support you during the recruitment process.

Key Skills

• Microsoft Office
• Purchasing
• Organizational skills
• AS400
• Math
• Pricing
• Analysis Skills
• Merchandising
• Microsoft Excel
• Retail Math
• Administrative Experience
• Negotiation

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1