Procurement Assistant: Supplier Relations & Cost Savings

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

Job summary

OCU Group in Stockport is seeking an Assistant Buyer to join our Procurement team. You will support end-to-end procurement, build supplier relationships, and ensure spend is controlled.

This role offers exposure across supplier management, cost analysis, contract support and the procure-to-pay process, with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

If you have experience in purchasing or supply chain and want to develop your career in a fast-paced environment, apply now.

Qualifications

• Experience in Purchasing, Procurement, Buying or Supply Chain.
• Understanding of the procure-to-pay process.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Support the end-to-end procurement process from requisition to purchase order.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing requirements and plan demand.
• Assist with pricing negotiations, supplier agreements and SLAs.
• Review supplier quotations, contracts, terms and specifications.
• Ensure purchasing activity aligns with company policies and procurement requirements.
• Work with Accounts Payable to support procure-to-pay and resolve queries.
• Monitor supplier performance and delivery, addressing issues as needed.
• Identify alternative suppliers to reduce risk and improve resilience.
• Review procurement data to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support supplier compliance and diversity initiatives.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier records.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

Procurement/Supply Chain qualification or CIPS

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

OCU Group in Stockport is seeking an Assistant Buyer to join our Procurement team. You will support end-to-end procurement, build supplier relationships, and ensure spend is controlled.

This role offers exposure across supplier management, cost analysis, contract support and the procure-to-pay process, with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

If you have experience in purchasing or supply chain and want to develop your career in a fast-paced environment, apply now.