Junior Buyer & Supplier Coordinator

Walker's Shortbread; Aberlour; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Aberlour is seeking a Procurement professional to support the Packaging and Ingredients Buyers. This permanent, full-time position offers mentoring and valuable hands-on experience in procurement processes. Essential skills include strong communication, organization, and analytical capabilities. Join now to build your career in this dynamic field with a commitment to professional development and generous benefits.

Benefits

25% employee discount

National Living Wage

Auto-enrolment into pension scheme

Healthcare and Well-being benefits

Long Service Awards

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills required.
• Highly organised with a detail-oriented approach.
• Fundamental analytical capabilities needed.

Responsibilities

• Support daily activities for Packaging and Ingredients Buyers.
• Maintain accurate supplier data in systems.
• Assist in supplier analysis and market research.
• Track supplier documentation and performance.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Highly organised with a keen eye for detail

Fundamental analytical skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Customer service mindset

Problem-solving approach

Ability to build effective relationships

Comfortable working at pace

Eagerness to learn processes

Education

Qualification in business, supply chain, or similar

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About The Role

Are you ready to launch your career in Procurement? If you’re curious, organised, and eager to grow, this could be the perfect next step for you. We’re looking for a proactive, detail-oriented team player to join our Procurement team in a permanent, full-time, on-site role (Aberlour, Moray / 38 hours per week). Whether you're starting your career or transitioning into buying and supply coordination, this developmental role offers hands-on experience, mentoring, and real opportunities for growth.

As part of our Procurement team, you'll support both the Packaging and Ingredient Buyers with daily purchasing tasks and act as a key link between suppliers and internal teams. You’ll help ensure we always have the right materials, at the right time, to meet customer needs. When things don’t go as planned, you'll be the first point of contact to help find solutions.

Responsibilities

• Support the Packaging and Ingredients Buyers with daily activities, including raising and amending purchase orders as needed.
• Maintain accurate supplier data and pricing in our systems.
• Assist with market research and fundamental supplier analysis.
• Prepare materials for supplier meetings and contract reviews.
• Track supplier documentation including quotes and order confirmations.
• Assist in ensuring the timely availability of goods and services.
• Support reporting, analysis, and improvement projects.

Supplier Coordination

• Monitor and report supplier performance - On Time in Full (OTIF).
• Be the first line of contact for delivery concerns and resolution.
• Communicate proactively with internal stakeholders about supply challenges.
• Coordinate logistics for raw material and packaging deliveries.
• Track and expedite orders as needed.
• Compile regular supplier performance reports.
• Assist with supplier review meetings.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Skills

• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Highly organised with a keen eye for detail.
• Fundamental analytical skills and confidence using Microsoft Office (especially Excel).
• A customer service mindset and problem-solving approach.
• Ability to build effective relationships.
• Comfortable working at pace and managing priorities.
• Eagerness to learn systems and procurement processes.

Desirable Skills

• A qualification in business, supply chain, or similar.
• Previous experience in admin, customer service, or entry-level business roles.
• Interest in a long-term procurement career.
• Understanding of fundamental procurement principles.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and data entry.

What’s in It for You?

• Mentoring from experienced procurement professionals.
• Exposure to packaging and ingredient supply chains.
• Support for professional development.
• Support with CIPS qualification, starting at Level 2 or appropriate.

Why Join Us:

• Build your career at Walker’s and become part of “Scotland at its Finest”.
• Enjoy a 25% employee discount when purchasing our products from our shops.
• Receive the National Living Wage, which increases with training levels achieved.
• Auto-enrolment into our pension scheme after 3 months.
• Life Assurance.
• Generous holiday allowance that increases with length of service.
• Subsidised staff canteen services.
• Healthcare and Well-being benefits.
• Overtime rates depending on hours worked.
• Long Service Awards.
• Family, Maternity, and Paternity leave.

About Us

Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and without them, we couldn't be 'Scotland at its finest'. Providing reliable employment to our local community has been core to Walker's values since the beginning. We are committed to Equal Opportunities for all and are proudly a Disability Confident and Young Person's Guarantee employer. We look forward to having you as part of our team.