Junior Buyer

OpenWorks Engineering Ltd; Prudhoe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A rapidly growing engineering company in Prudhoe is seeking a Junior Buyer to support procurement operations, ensuring timely acquisition of components and services. This role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and basic procurement awareness. The company offers a competitive salary starting from £26,000, comprehensive benefits like healthcare and paid team activities, and opportunities for personal growth in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

25 days’ holiday plus public holidays

Free breakfast and lunches

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Salary sacrifice schemes

Paid team socials

Pension plan with employer-matched contributions

Culture promoting personal growth

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills.
• Some experience in procurement or purchasing is beneficial.
• Basic understanding of purchasing processes and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Handle requisitions and issue purchase orders for goods.
• Collaborate with suppliers to manage order progress.
• Maintain accurate supplier and pricing data in the ERP system.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Data analysis skills

Education

A-levels or equivalent

Tools

ERP/MRP systems (Infor Syteline)

Job description

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Junior Buyer who's eager to build their career in procurement and play a key role in keeping our purchasing operations running smoothly. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who's organised, detail-driven and ready to learn, supporting the wider procurement team to ensure components and services reach our engineering and production teams on time.

In this role, you'll support routine purchasing activity, maintain accurate data in our systems, collaborate with suppliers and help keep the day-to-day flow of materials moving across the business.

Who We Are

OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England.

Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations.

We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world.

The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

Join a high-energy, collaborative team where great ideas thrive, challenges are embraced, and people genuinely love what they do.

Here’s what our benefits have to offer:

• Competitive remuneration package, salary from £26,000 with performance-related bonuses and clear progression opportunities.
• 25 days’ holiday + public holidays, with long-service rewards and the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
• Free breakfast and freshly cooked lunches every day, courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
• Private healthcare through Aviva, keeping you feeling your best.
• Life assurance for peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
• Salary sacrifice schemes - including EV car and Cycle to Work options for easy, sustainable travel.
• Paid team socials - from quiz nights and football to board games and more; we love to have fun together.
• Pension plan with employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
• A culture that empowers - we enable change, encourage challenge, and celebrate personal growth.

What You’ll Be Doing

Purchase Order Processing

Handling requisitions and issuing purchase orders for low- to medium‑complexity goods.

Subcontract Service Coordination

Obtaining quotes and placing orders with subcontracted service providers.

Order Progressing

Monitoring open purchase orders, flagging delays and working with suppliers to resolve issues.

ERP Data Management

Maintaining accurate supplier details, pricing, lead times and part information in the ERP system.

Supplier Administration

Keeping supplier documentation up to date and maintaining accurate records.

Invoice Support

Assisting with invoice matching and basic query resolution in collaboration with finance.

Team Support

Providing ad‑hoc administrative support such as filing, document management and process updates.

Continuous Improvement

Assisting with procurement process improvements to enhance efficiency.

What You’ll Bring

Early Procurement Experience

Some experience in procurement, purchasing or administrative support is helpful but not essential.

Organisation & Accuracy

Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills.

Systems Confidence

Comfortable using IT systems. ERP/MRP experience is desirable (we use Infor Syteline).

Clear Communication

Strong written and verbal communication skills for supplier and internal liaison.

Procurement Awareness

Basic understanding of purchasing processes and supplier management.

Ability to Prioritise

Comfortable working across multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.

Positive Attitude

Proactive problem‑solving approach and enthusiasm to learn.

Data Skills

Excel and experience with basic data analysis skills is a plus.

Qualifications

A‑levels, equivalent or a relevant vocational qualification. CIPS (or working towards it) is desirable but not essential.

More about us

Vision

Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.

Mission

Be a world‑leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence.

Values

Be a Good Egg

Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest.

Do cool stuff

We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done.

Be empowered

We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility.

We are one team

Look out for each other and the team.

Things go wrong

Fail fast, learn and move on.

Have fun

We're doing amazing things with passionate people.