Purchasing Assistant

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge is seeking a motivated individual to join its Finance team in the Department of Physics. This position focuses on purchasing and procurement duties within a supportive and modern working environment.

Ideal candidates will have experience in finance or purchasing roles, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders. The role offers a hybrid working model after a probationary period.

The University encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Educated to at least 'A' level standard or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to provide accurate and timely responses to requests.
• Skilled in dealing with procurement controls and financial operations.

Responsibilities

• Process purchasing transactions on CUFS.
• Handle queries on purchasing and related matters.
• Prepare reports using CUFS and COGNOS.

Skills

Experience in purchasing or finance functions

Communication skills

Numeracy skills

Ability to prioritize workload

Education

A level standard or equivalent experience

Tools

Jira

CUFS

COGNOS

Job description

The Department of Physics has recently re-located to our new research facility, the Ray Dolby Centre. Designed to match the most exacting standards of current research, serving the educational needs of future generations of undergraduate and graduate students.

To support the Department's operational and research requirements, the dedicated Purchasing team now uses Jira, an advanced request management system. The forthcoming implementation of Oracle Fusion as the University's new Finance system is expected to further enhance the Department's purchasing and procurement capabilities.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Finance team (Purchasing function). Whether you already have experience or are looking to begin a long term career in procurement, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive, modern working environment that supports employee wellbeing and offers a friendly, team orientated culture.

Reporting to a Purchasing Administrator in the team, you will undertake a range of purchasing and procurement duties within the Department's Finance office following University policy and procedures and best practice. The role-holder will ensure that all purchasing adheres to best practice and guidelines issued by the University Procurement Service.

The successful candidate will be able to work effectively with multiple stakeholder groups, including academic, technical and administrative staff and students, to deliver efficient ways to source goods and services for the wide range of activities undertaken by the Department. They will be educated to at least 'A' level standard or with equivalent level of practical experience and be confident in providing accurate and timely response to customer requests, with excellent communication and organisational skills.

The Role

• Work as part of a team of buyers to process purchasing transactions on CUFS, the University's finance system.
• Handle incoming queries on purchasing and related matters.
• Preparing activity and spend reports using tools including CUFS and COGNOS, and identify opportunities to improve workflow.
• Provide guidance and assistance to stakeholders sourcing goods and services in line with best practice and University regulations, maintain documentation covering local procedures.

Your Skills

• Have experience of working in a busy purchasing or finance function within a large organisation.
• Confident and experienced in working on projects with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Highly numerate and have good oral and written communication skills.
• Skilled in dealing with financial or procurement controls and able to prioritise your own workload.

The Cavendish is supportive of Hybrid working and following completion of a probationary period, operates an 'in more than out' policy. All Hybrid working is subject to operational requirements.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.